It's Official

Our ultrasound is set for Friday, May 8th. I still think Broster is a boy.

First Attempt

Gracie's first attempt at walking on her own.
She actually took two steps before I got the camera out!

Week 16 Checkup

I just got back from the doctor's office, and have all good news. My blood pressure was good, and we finally got to hear the heartbeat! She said it was in the 140s, which leads me to believe we may be having the first boy out of our group of friends. Gracie's heartbeat was always in the 150-160 range and I've heard typically girls have a faster heartbeat. The doc is "ordering" an ultrasound from the hospital, and said I should call them tomorrow to make an appointment. My next doctor's exam will be on May 26th.

I checked Shirley Jean's blog to find a website her momma used to "predict" her gender, and "Babyman" agrees. He predicted we're having a boy. Hey, he was right for SJ, and Gracie.

On a side note, Daddy and Gracie are having BWW tonight, and I just got off the phone with Daddy. He was helping a friend finish moving today and told me a funny story I thought I'd share. He said he had Gracie sitting up in the stroller with Goldfish crackers in the tray, but he didn't strap her in. He was talking with our friend and the next thing he knew she was behind the stroller walking around! She apparently slipped herself out through the footrest and was off. She was probably looking at Daddy and thinking "Sucker!"

Uh Oh!

Someone needs her crib mattress lowered!

Who Needs a Baby Gate. . .

. . .when we have a mansion?

As an added bonus, there's a "kitty door"-the driveway on the left is the perfect size for kitty to sneak through to the other side of the apartment.

Week 16

This week has been pretty uneventful as far as Broster is concerned. I have been feeling the baby move for about the last four weeks, but not often. I can't wait until it is more often as I love to feel the baby move! I have been craving junk food like crazy, and have to force myself to try and eat better foods to help the baby's development. I have my next doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon, and was told I get to have my developmental ultrasound at 17 weeks. I am really excited for the ultrasound and do plan on finding out the gender, if Broster cooperates. I was able to sell our computer desk on craigslist and they will be picking it up tomorrow, giving us room to set up the pack n play as a bassinet for Broster to sleep in. Gracie has started standing up in her crib, so she may be getting ready to move into a toddler bed, which could be perfect timing depending on how big Broster is! The bassinet doesn't allow for too much weight in it. For now the kids will be sharing a room, but who knows what the future holds as we are looking for jobs back home and if that doesn't pan out will start looking for a house. Either way, I'd like to have a home within 2009 with Obama's housing stimulus to motivate us to finally take the plunge. I have been looking casually at what is near here and think we can get a decent sized home under our figure that we can supposedly "afford." I never trust those numbers! I am looking forward to knowing the baby's gender just as garage sale season starts. If Broster is a boy, we will need to stock up on clothes that are not pink or dresses!

Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about week 16:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Melting Momma's Heart

On Monday I was surprised to hear Gracie up when I got up for work, so I got her up and we played for an hour before I had to leave for work. I snuggled her on the way to put her back in her crib, explaining that "Momma wants to stay and play, but she needs to leave for work now. I will miss you, and hurry home to play." As I laid her in her crib, she put one thumb in her mouth, and waved bye bye with her other hand! I almost couldn't leave!
Shortly after Gracie was born, we received a care package from her auntie in Portland. Included in it was a blanket that is pink on one side with polka dots on the other side. Gracie has adopted this blanket as her "blankey." She won't sleep without it (which is a little worrisome come hot July nights-it's fleece!), and when she's upset we just put it near her and she snuggles into it. She has been a bit crabby and independent tonight. Stubborn with where she wants to go, and what she wants to do-I even pulled her out from under the kitchen cabinet! She was following the kitty in and got quite upset when I caught her and pulled her out. I noticed her head getting heavy (first sign of sleepiness) so I gave her a couple of teething tablets and laid her down to sleep. With one thumb in her mouth, she grabbed her blankey, snuggled into it and rolled onto her side. Soooo cute.

This is a picture of Gracie at only a couple of weeks old, wrapped in the blanket she now considers her blankey.