Sunday, October 29, 2006

Peanut at 22 weeks



How your baby's growing: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, or one of the Rockettes?





While it's no surprise that our little peanut is seriously making her presence known and felt, Enz noticed that the baby has been starting to deliver more noticeable "kicks." The little one is fairly active during the day while Enz is at work, and then continues her rampage throughout the evening. You'd think that she would get tired and call it a night when Enza goes to bed, but in true "bebe" form, our little peanut continues every now and then through the night.

I guess we'll need to better prepare ourselves for what's really coming our way! Even though my days start early, it only takes a few sleepless nights for my grumpy side to shine through! It'll be worth the effort though, and like we've said many times before, we can't wait.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Pure Relaxation

Today, Enz was treated to a spa day with her co-workers. Of course due to her situation, she wasn't able to indulge in all the amenities and services at the spa, but she was able to take part in a pregnancy massage. Enz wasn't the only one pampered today-our little peanut was also treated to her very first day at the spa!

While Enz was relaxing in the pregnancy bath, our little princess was jumping for joy in mommy's belly! Perhaps she was trying to tell Enza something? Who knows? All that Enza said was that the little peanut was extremely active during the bath, and finallyh relaxed with mommy during the actual massage. Maybe she was just expressing her joy of being there, and that it's a sign of things to come. Maybe it's a sign of her developing personality? We could speculate until the cows come home, but we'll never really know now will we? It's always fun to just sit here and guess at what the little squirt is trying to tell us.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

More activity

Well, according to Enz, our little one has become quite the little busy body! She's pretty oblivious to our schedules, as Enza finds herself being startled by Peanut's movements. This past weekend, I noticed that Enz would suddenly jerk every now and then, as if she got shocked or startled. It turns out that it was our little Peanut and her kicking or whatever she's doing in there! Her movements are becoming more and more frequent, and more and more intense.

This is an extemely exciting time for us, as we move on through the fifth month. She reacts more quickly now, especially when there's music playing. She had a little workout this past Saturday during the evening mass when the choir began singing. We're curious to see how she'll react when she's here and when we play music for her.

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Peanut at 21 weeks


How your baby's growing: Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Happy Friday!


This kind of says it all, don't you think? Anyway, Happy Friday!!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

With every beat of my heart

Click here to listen to Baby Peanut's heartbeat at 20.5 weeks

You'll hear some static, but that's just the doctor moving the doppler around trying to get a clear sound. The heartbeat is so evident and strong, and each time we hear it, it makes this experience become more and more real to the both of us....

Whew!


We had our 5 month appointment yesterday, and we are so relieved! Last week, during our sonogram appointment, the sonographer mentioned something to us that raised our concerns for the little one. It was our understanding that the sonographer is NOT supposed to comment on the ultrasound, with the exception of the baby's gender. Well, as you know, we found out that we're having a baby girl, but the the technician also made a comment that she shouldn't have said. Needless to say, both Enz & I were worried, mainly because her comment was kind of left up in the air.

After meeting with our doctor, we voiced our concerns about what the technician said. The doctor was very surprised and said that this tech needed to be spoken to regarding this or any extra comments she made. Basically, it's not her position to comment on anything except the sex of the baby. All that being said, the doctor reassured us that there was nothing that she could see from our ultrasound pictures & tests that would lead her to believe there was anything wrong. Both Enz & I breathed a giant sigh of relief! WHEW!!

The rest of the appointment went on without a hitch. We got to hear the very strong heartbeat of the little one again, this time it was really easy for the doctor to find it. Hearing that heartbeat is one of the greatest sounds ever!!!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Poop humor

Babies rappin' about poop

Thanks Dez for this cute little video clip. I guess it's something to look forward to, huh?

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Kundalini?

Yesterday, one of Enza's patients asked her if she had any children and Enza said, "No, but I have one on the way." This patient mentioned that she "sensed" a very motherly energy from Enza, which is pretty trippy. Come to find out that this woman specializes in reading people's energy. She went on to say that Enza's energy was very calm and warm. That gave Enz the warm and fuzzy feeling inside, and at the same time gave her the chills (think goosebumps).

We had dinner at Merr & Rick's last night, and our little one was pretty active. She was doing her little dance again, this time while we were eating, and there wasn't any music playing, so to speak. She probably heard the Monday Night Football jingle and got really excited =) Then again, that tune IS music.....

Monday, October 16, 2006

Play another song for me...


Lots of movement from the little one this weekend. On Saturday, we went out and did our baby registry at a few places. That was an adventure in itself, much like doing our wedding registry! We were prepared for a full day of "shopping", but got a bit overwhelmed with all the little stuff. I'm pretty sure we missed a few things, but it's all good.

After dinner on Saturday, we were on the computer trying to fine tune our registries online. We had some music playing from ETN.fm, a really decent live trance set from Europe by Mazza & Martinelli. As the set played on, Enz noticed a little movement in her belly. She described it as "the baby turning, or possibly moving her arms & legs." It wasn't the normal fluttering she had described before, but more like body movements. Really exciting stuff! She kept on doing her little dance while the music was playing, finally tiring out when we shut the computer off! We're assuming that she's into music....

At church on Sunday, our little one "woke up" when the choir started singing, and did her little dance routine whenever music was played. I guess she's not all too particular just yet as to what type of music she likes, just as long as there's a melody and rhythm.

Finally, last night as we were winding down our busy weekend, Enz played some classical music for the little peanut, and sure enough, it got her going again! We'll continue to play different styles of music for her to see what moves her most. Here's to hoping the little one's got rhythm =)

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Peanut at 20 weeks




How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.) A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.) Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery)


Thursday, October 12, 2006

Pure Excitement

Its a Girl!

Here's a short video clip of when Enz & I shared the news of our baby girl with our family. Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

And that's all I got to say about that...

We went in for our sonogram yesterday, and found out that we're having a GIRL!!! Both Enza & I are so happy, then again, we would've been happy with a baby boy too, but nevertheless, we're only a few months away from meeting "Daddy's Little Girl!"

Here's another pic of the little one in Mommy's belly. She wasn't very active during the ultrasound, but she did start to wiggle around right about when we were finished. Go figure! She's already acting up!


Baby Peanut @ 19.5 weeks
Thank heaven for little girls...

COUNTDOWN





Only ONE HOUR to go until we find out....

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

One more day...

Wow, we really can't believe that the day is nearly upon us. Tomorrow, Enz & I are going to find out the sex of the baby. Nervous? Excited? Anxious? Impatient? YES, YES, YES, YES!!! We've been counting down to this day since we made the appointment way back in August. We're really excited to find out so we can start calling the baby by his/her name, and get used to saying and hearing it.

Enz still doesn't have a "feeling" yet, and I've stated that we're having a girl. Yesterday, when I had time to think about it, I just sat back and looked at the big picture. I kind of had a change of heart, so to speak, and started to think that we're having a boy. Today I'm like Enz, and I really don't know. I'll stick to my original guess, but it really doesn't matter anyway. We're just so DAMN happy that we're having a baby!

Now about baby names.......

Monday, October 09, 2006

More pics of Wesley...

Just a few more pics of Wesley Joseph Arbolante, provided by his proud daddy Rick. Thanks Uncle Ricky!!




Sunday, October 08, 2006

Peanut at 19 weeks


How your baby's growing: Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing six million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Only a matter of time...

While we were at the hospital yesterday watching our newest nephew getting his first bath, it hit me, more so than it has these past few months. Enz asked me if I was ready for this, and I was literally speechless! I couldn't even muster up the strength to say anything, it was weird! Just standing there and watching Rick talking to the nurse was a total reality check. That'll be me in a few months! So many thoughts were rushing through my mind, and it really hit home while I was just standing there. Wow, we're going to be parents; I'm going to be a father and Enza is going to be a mother; How much time should I take off; We need to start saving more money for our children's education; How are we going to deal with the dog; My mom will be a grandmother; etc etc...

Whew! I was seriously drained just from all the stuff going through my head! I guess I'll just take it one day at a time, that's really the only way to look at it right now. We've got tons of help all around us, so I'm not really worried along those lines. I guess just the thought of being good parents is what I want to focus on. For now, all I can do is pray that everything works out...

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Welcome Wesley Joseph

Today was a beautiful day! It started off at around 2:30am when we received THE call from Merr. It was about that time, and Rick was preparing to take her to the hospital. We were so excited, even at that wee hour of the morning, we didn't care. We've been waiting for the birth of our nephew for the last nine months, and finally, on October 5, 2006 at 8:31am, Wesley Joseph Arbolante was born! Now it's only a matter of months before our little peanut is here, and gets to meet his/her cousins Elliott & Wesley. The best thing is that they won't be too far apart in age!

Here are just a few pictures of the Arbolante family on this joyous occasion. Enjoy!


Wesley Joseph Arbolante


Mommy Merr & Wesley


Daddy Rick & Wesley


Big-brother Elliott sitting on the hippo in the hospital



Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Do a little dance...


Enz woke up this morning as I was getting ready for work. She was complaining of being uncomfortable, and said that she wasn't able to lay on her left side-which sucks because in order for her to watch tv, she has to be on her left side. Anyway, she even said that she had a backache, and that she needed to keep her back arched to get comfortable. I suggested putting a small pillow under her lower back to help with the pain, and then she said she felt our little peanut move. Once the baby moved, she felt instant relief! How considerate of the little one to dance around so that mommy can get comfortable again and go back to sleep! The "dancing" has become more and more frequent, and its exciting to feel it each and every time. We're counting down the next seven days, because next week we'll know whether we're having a boy or girl.

As we move through the weeks rather quickly, it amazes us to know that this baby will be here before we know it!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Big Brother-to-be

As we move forward with this pregnancy, a common question on our minds is "What's going to happen with Marino?" Up until now, he's been the "baby" of our family, and he's so accustomed to receiving ALL the attention. This past year & a half that he's been with us has been great, and we only expect it to get better with the addition of our little peanut. We're just a bit worried that peanut's arrival may bring about a little change in the pup.

Ever since we discovered we were pregnant, Marino started going through a little phase, almost as if he could already sense there was something different. Its gotten to the point now where he has become more demanding of our attention, even when we're already giving him 100%! There's absolutely NO aggressive behavior, just a ton of excitement in a muscular ball of energy! We're taking steps to prepare him for the coming of our little one, but there's only so much we can do now. We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. We know that when the time comes, he's going to make a great "big brother" for our peanut! Can't wait for those awesome photo-ops!!!

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Peanut at 18 weeks



How your baby's growing: Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

No, this is NOT a closeup of a turd! Nor is it a picture of the change in bowel movements since Enza got pregnant! That's just gross....