The Schmoodles has been growing exponentially over the last few weeks. He has been super active in utero lately. He is currently head down, as he has been for a few months now. He does appear to favor lying on my left side and kicking the right. This makes it convenient, as it helps us identify little heels or fists as they protrude from my belly.
View Photos of the Schmoodles at 37 Weeks
The Schmoodles also likes to show off for his daddy. He responds to the sound of Scott's voice in the late evenings and early mornings by rolling around and showing off his own breakdancing moves. Boy-o-boy is this Momma ever gonna have fun with her boys!
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Nursery
As you may recall from our earlier posts, we chose a transportation theme for the nursery. We worked off the color scheme in the bedding we chose in an attempt to create a bright and lively habitat for our little Schmoodles.
View Photos of the Nursery
We have truly enjoyed piecing together all the bits and pieces, painting and arranging. We look forward to creating some artwork for the walls and making this an active and creative space for the little monkey. Thank you to everyone for your input and contributions to this process. We can't wait to share it with you!
View Photos of the Nursery
We have truly enjoyed piecing together all the bits and pieces, painting and arranging. We look forward to creating some artwork for the walls and making this an active and creative space for the little monkey. Thank you to everyone for your input and contributions to this process. We can't wait to share it with you!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Schmoodles Challenge
Leslie and I are stressing a bit as Schmoodles' arrival quickly approaches. Schmoodles is moving around a lot and Leslie feels he is "getting into position". We still have a long list of things to do including choosing a name, etc. but no worries.
Now for you...We set up a game on expectnet.com so that you can join us in the excitement and anticipation of Schmoodles' big day. Please participate by entering your guess concerning his weight, length, birth date and birth time. The winner will receive the first phone call direct from the delivery room (if that is possible) and some other undisclosed gift. We'll give you a hint; his estimated day of arrival is 7 December 2009.
Below are the instructions for submitting your guess.
1. Navigate to Expect.net http://www.expectnet.com/game.php
2. In the "Jump to a new game" dialog box (or under "Invited guests") enter the name game type in "Schmoodles"
3. Then, click the "Enter a guess"
Good luck!
Now for you...We set up a game on expectnet.com so that you can join us in the excitement and anticipation of Schmoodles' big day. Please participate by entering your guess concerning his weight, length, birth date and birth time. The winner will receive the first phone call direct from the delivery room (if that is possible) and some other undisclosed gift. We'll give you a hint; his estimated day of arrival is 7 December 2009.
Below are the instructions for submitting your guess.
1. Navigate to Expect.net http://www.expectnet.com/game.php
2. In the "Jump to a new game" dialog box (or under "Invited guests") enter the name game type in "Schmoodles"
3. Then, click the "Enter a guess"
Good luck!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Schmoodles 34 Weeks
The big day is drawing closer. We visited the ultrasound tech today for the fourth time. Schmoodles is doing well. His kidneys are within the normal range now. Further, he's already an estimated 5lbs 10oz and growing at a rate of about a half pound per week; so it appears that he is eating well. His heartbeat was 141bps which is also normal.
In addition to taking measurements, the tech was kind enough to snap some nice head shots of the Schmoodles. He has a plump little face now. He has Leslie's nose and my (upper) lip. Here are some more photos.
We were able to watch him as he moved around his little home. He seems to be quite content in there. He lifted his foot to his face and for a brief moment appeared to sit in a full lotus position. It won't be long now. Thanks for tuning in!
In addition to taking measurements, the tech was kind enough to snap some nice head shots of the Schmoodles. He has a plump little face now. He has Leslie's nose and my (upper) lip. Here are some more photos.
We were able to watch him as he moved around his little home. He seems to be quite content in there. He lifted his foot to his face and for a brief moment appeared to sit in a full lotus position. It won't be long now. Thanks for tuning in!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fall Comes Early to the Midwest
The cold weather came early this year, and we've had lows in the 50's all week. We've even had frost overnight, which means that we had to pull in all the lovely tomatoes that remained on the vine. What you see in this picture are the fruits of Scott's hard labor all summer to breed the perfect heirloom tomato.
[View the tomatoes]
The gourds and pumpkins in the photo came from Kuipers Farm, which we visited last weekend for Elliot Kroyer's birthday. Despite the rain, mud, and cold weather, we all enjoyed watching Owen polishing the pumpkins before placing them in the wagon for Elliot to wheel around.
The biggest bump in these photos is our rapidly growing baby boy. He's getting bigger every day and is rapidly filling my belly. His movements have changed from kicks to more of a shuffling movement in my belly. He's even passed the stage of doing benchpresses against my rib cage. I'm guessing that means he's getting too big to fully stretch out his little legs. Over the next few weeks he'll double in weight, but only grow another few inches in length. We just can't wait to meet him.
[View the Schmoodles at 31 Weeks]
[View the tomatoes]
The gourds and pumpkins in the photo came from Kuipers Farm, which we visited last weekend for Elliot Kroyer's birthday. Despite the rain, mud, and cold weather, we all enjoyed watching Owen polishing the pumpkins before placing them in the wagon for Elliot to wheel around.
The biggest bump in these photos is our rapidly growing baby boy. He's getting bigger every day and is rapidly filling my belly. His movements have changed from kicks to more of a shuffling movement in my belly. He's even passed the stage of doing benchpresses against my rib cage. I'm guessing that means he's getting too big to fully stretch out his little legs. Over the next few weeks he'll double in weight, but only grow another few inches in length. We just can't wait to meet him.
[View the Schmoodles at 31 Weeks]
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Schmoodles First Political Rally
How did The Schmoodles happen upon his first political rally? Well, it all started the weekend following The Schmoodle's baby shower. We ventured out to Rockford, IL to share the morning with Althea, who had stayed the week to visit with extended family. We had a lovely lunch at the Anderson Japanese Gardens, apparently the largest Japanese Gardens in the country. Highly recommended. Good food, great company, and a very relaxing stroll through the waterfalls and a beautiful environment.
[View the Anderson Japanese Gardens]
After we dropped Althea off to catch her plane, Scott and I decided to drop in on a local Rockford NAACP rally that was being held in honor of a young man, unarmed man who had been shot and killed by local police in a nearby church a couple of weeks before. The newspaper stated that the Reverend Jesse Jackson was set to speak at this march, and it was fortuitous timing to get to partake in such an activity.
So, we made our way down to downtown Rockford and fell into step only a few rows behind the Reverend Jesse Jackson and fellow protesters in the march. The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a short talk that focused on the need for justice, regardless of race matters. He encouraged Rockford citizens to get registered to vote, to be known as leaders in their community, to demand that their public servants reflect the same racial diversity as their community, and to stimulate their economy or ask for assistance in doing so. Overall, it was a balanced and inspired talk. We were awed by the event and the gravity of our proximity to one of the great social justice leaders of our time.
Along the way, we were asked to volunteer to lead NAACP marches/activities in the Geneva area, so we can look forward to sharing more of these experiences with The Schmoodles as he grows older.
[View the Rockford NAACP March]
[View the Anderson Japanese Gardens]
After we dropped Althea off to catch her plane, Scott and I decided to drop in on a local Rockford NAACP rally that was being held in honor of a young man, unarmed man who had been shot and killed by local police in a nearby church a couple of weeks before. The newspaper stated that the Reverend Jesse Jackson was set to speak at this march, and it was fortuitous timing to get to partake in such an activity.
So, we made our way down to downtown Rockford and fell into step only a few rows behind the Reverend Jesse Jackson and fellow protesters in the march. The Reverend Jesse Jackson gave a short talk that focused on the need for justice, regardless of race matters. He encouraged Rockford citizens to get registered to vote, to be known as leaders in their community, to demand that their public servants reflect the same racial diversity as their community, and to stimulate their economy or ask for assistance in doing so. Overall, it was a balanced and inspired talk. We were awed by the event and the gravity of our proximity to one of the great social justice leaders of our time.
Along the way, we were asked to volunteer to lead NAACP marches/activities in the Geneva area, so we can look forward to sharing more of these experiences with The Schmoodles as he grows older.
[View the Rockford NAACP March]
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Schmoodles Heartbeat
We found ourselves growing impatient during the long weeks between doctor's visits, waiting to hear The Schmoodles heartbeat and know that he is doing well. So, in order to keep an ear on our little one we got ourselves a fetal doppler. The doppler allows us to hear his heartbeat, hiccups, and movements while he's still in Leslie's belly.
At night, before bedtime, we usually spend some time talking to The Schmoodles, singing "Sur Le Pont D'Avignon", or reading him a Dr. Seuss book. So, that's when we sometimes check in on him with the doppler.
Over the length of his gestation, his heartbeat gradually slows. When he was just a tiny one, his heartbeat was around 177 beats/minute. Now it is down around 144 beats/minute. We find it soothing to listen to him, so we thought we would share it with you too.
Listen to The Schmoodles Heartbeat
At night, before bedtime, we usually spend some time talking to The Schmoodles, singing "Sur Le Pont D'Avignon", or reading him a Dr. Seuss book. So, that's when we sometimes check in on him with the doppler.
Over the length of his gestation, his heartbeat gradually slows. When he was just a tiny one, his heartbeat was around 177 beats/minute. Now it is down around 144 beats/minute. We find it soothing to listen to him, so we thought we would share it with you too.
Listen to The Schmoodles Heartbeat
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