Doctor Check-in: 24 weeks

Yesterday, Jonathan and I went for a check-up with the doc.  After a brief wait in the waiting room (which we each guessed my weight gain), it was time to face the scales.... and... I've gained 14 pounds!  Okay, okay, so that's probably not all that bad, but it sounds bad.

Next, blood pressure.  120/72.  Yikes!  That's super high for me!  The nurse asked if I was nervous... "no," was my response.  After looking back, I think I got myself all worked up over that stupid scale!  After my appointment, she checked it again.  106/68.  Much better!

Onto the actual appointment and my thoughts on that appointment....

I'm really over these "belly checks" that they call "appointments."  I mean, five minutes in the room, a little heartbeat action, some lighthearted conversation with the doc, and then we're out.  That's it.  No pictures... nothing.  We really got spoiled the first few months with ultrasounds every month!  I mean, ultrasound paper can't possibly cost that much?!

After that complaining, there's only good news to report!  The baby's heartbeat measured 143-145 beats per minute.  Still nice and healthy!

We have another appointment in about a month and I'm really hoping for some pictures.  We'll just be in the third trimester, so it seems [to me] like a good time for an updated ultrasound.  We'll see!

Until next time,
Jamie

Boy or Girl? Predictor Tests #3 & #4

While visiting our friends, Dan, Tracy and Abby (one of the cutest things you ever did see) a couple weeks ago, we administered two gender predictor tests.  A special "Thank you" to Tracy for her services.


Predictor Test #3:  The Baking Soda Test
*Warning:  This is a urine test.

For this test, you pour baking soda in one cup and urinate in another cup.  Then, mix them together and see what magic results.  

• Fizzing = Boy
• No reaction = Girl.  

It seems to me that the girl should be more dramatic, but the Internet is never wrong.

Results of the Baking Soda test suggest... BOY!

Predictor Test #4:  The Metal Test

I heard a few people swear by this test.  My mom indicated that it's been right for people on her side of the family and it was 100% accurate for Tracy.  For this test, you attach a piece of metal to a string and hold it above the pregnant belly.  

• If the string swings back and forth (chin to feet)...Boy
• If the string swings in a circle...Girl

We used Jonathan's wedding ring and a piece of ribbon for our test.  

Results of the Metal Test suggest...  BOY!

I must reveal that we have attempted this test two more times at home (although we replaced the ribbon with dental floss).  It continues to swing back and forth!

That brings our score to Girl 2, Boy 2.

MTV Cribs

Remember that show on MTV - Cribs?  The one where they show you beautiful homes of celebrities and rich people....  This is not it.  BUT, Jonathan certainly has some celebrity-like poses in the next set of pictures constructing our crib.

We have SO many generous people in our life that we have not had to buy any new furniture.  Simply amazing.  My parents did decide to purchase a new crib for the babe and we are passing them the one we were handed down.  We aren't "match-matchy" furniture people, so the mix has worked perfectly for us!  Anyone that's provided for the room... (you may or may not know who you are)... THANK YOU!

Naturally, once the new crib came in, we were very excited to get it put together and see it in the room.  Paparazzi, I am not, but I decided that this is the type of stuff we should document....?!  Anyway, enjoy.  :)

Jonathan working hard!

Don't you LOVE our rug and the stripes?
If you don't, that's okay...we do!

Dace, the assistant every man needs.
(Drake's playing with his kong by himself in
the corner of the picture...typical)

Almost done... the dogs seem to be
assessing the work.

Tightening things up!
We don't want the baby to fall out!

"That was hard work, Dad!" -Dace

A crib view a few days later.
I believe that belly is 21 weeks old.

We've already made loads of progress on the room.  In fact, it's almost done, so more pictures to come soon.

On another note, we attended our friend's daughter's first birthday party (Abby Olson, that cute little stinker) a couple weekends ago (CRAZY!).  In the midst of all of that fun, we stole a few minutes for a couple more gender predictor tests.  Let's say, the money's not on a girl anymore  ;)   Results coming soon!

Until next time...
Jamie

Kick it...and I'm not talking about The Beastie Boys

As I laid in bed the other night, propped on my pillow, deep in thought...not really, just watching TV...and "WHAM", Jamie sounds startled, arms flailing away from her body; I dang near pee myself because the commotion frightened me terribly. She looks at me all giddy and smiling and says "I think I just felt the baby kick!"..."there it goes again!"

With confusion, uncertainty, worry, intrigue, joy, disbelief, I began to smile and she grasps my hand as I wrestle it away from the blankets and place it directly on her belly. Nothing! I'm thinking I missed this milestone, or maybe it's as stubborn as me and my wife!!! So, she holds my hand down on her belly, with her hand, and jiggles at the babe and "KABLAMMY" this little mythical being, that we've only seen as much as Sasquatch, blasts a left hook into my hand! I ripped my hand away so fast and just as quickly put it back. The babe kicked one more time and my face lit up like the Grinch when "his heart grew from two sizes too small"..."to three sizes too big!"

We're half way until we get to meet our babe!!!

Kicks!

20 weeks brings the first kicks!  

I've done some reading that you can start to feel your baby moving around at about 15-16 weeks, although many first time mothers miss it.  And really, that's more like "Jonathan's done some reading..."  He keeps me informed!  Anyway, I'm pretty sure that I'm the first time mother they refer to in these readings.  Around weeks 18 & 19, I thought I felt something inside there, but it was quick.

Last night, however, we felt the first official kick that I'm aware of (I'll add that disclaimer).  It was around 9:30 pm and, luckily, Jonathan was home for the evening!  We felt 3-4 kicks, which was pretty exciting!  I know the thing will won't stop from this point forward, so I'm sure that excitement will wear off, but nonetheless, and exciting milestone to report!

Boys vs. Girls from the XYs of the Spryn Household

While my wife continues to propose these preposterous indicators of a boy or girl, it is in the greatest interest of Drake, Dace and me to keep the dominance in the household. All three of us are anticipating a boy in hopes of putting the series at 4-1. However, we will be excited for a healthy baby in any instance. Folklore indicates Coakley girls are ruthless, persuasive and never wrong...all characteristics of a boy. It's a win win for the family!

Although we have no plausible method in determining the sex of baby Spryn, we will continue to speculate and make attempts to make the data work for us.

Sincerely,
The XYs

Boy or Girl? Predictor Test #2

Jonathan and I visited the doctor just a bit ago for our first tummy ultrasound.  In addition to a ton of measurements and pictures, we have a new heartbeat -- 154 beats per minute.


That leads us to Predictor Test #2: The old wives tale of a fast beating heart...

• Fetal heart rates above 140 bpm suggest girl
• Fetal heart rates below 140 bpm suggest boy

Results of the heart rate test suggest... GIRL!

That brings our score to Girl 2, Boy 0.

Boy or Girl? Predictor Test #1

Let the questions begin (more like continue...)

• When are your due?
• How are you feeling?
• Have you been sick?
• Are you finding out what you are having, boy or girl?
• What names do you have picked out?
• Have your started your nursery?
• Are you coming back to work?

The list goes on and on.  All part of the deal, I suppose.  The biggest question seems to be in relation to boy or girl.  Of course, there are many "tests" out there to predict the sex of your unborn child.  Since we plan to skip that ultrasound option, we might as well indulge in these tests.  So... here we go with test #1!

Test #1:  Ancient Chinese Gender Chart/Predictor

Accuracy of this predictor tool is said to be 50/50.  I mean, you can't get much better than that, can you?! This tool uses your Chinese lunar age and a month of conception to determine boy or girl.  

Results of the Ancient Chinese Gender Chart suggest....  GIRL!

Stay tuned for future tests!  I've read some pretty interesting ones online.  Where do people come up with some of these?  A cabbage test?  Drano test that must be completed outdoors? (<- I think we'll be skipping that one!)

A First Look at Baby Spryn

We have had three great ultrasound appointments.  The first time we heard our baby's heartbeat (7 weeks), it was a strong 148 beats per minute.  At our second ultrasound (11 weeks), we heard it again at 177 bpm.  Our week 14 appointment was slightly disappointing in that... wait for it... no pictures.  Obviously, we've been spoiled.  Nonetheless, a nice heartbeat of 156 bpm was there to great us.

Our next appointment is scheduled for April 12th.  They will tell me how much weight I'm gaining (yippee!), take the baby's measurements, and allow us to leave with some new pictures (I hope!).  We'll be sure to post the new pictures.  For now, here's the progression of the little babe:

7 Weeks - Baby Spryn at about 1.20 cm in length

7 Weeks - 148 beats per minute

7 Weeks - A different view of Baby Spryn, measuring about 1.22 cm in length

Final look at 7 Weeks!

11 Weeks - Baby Spryn measuring about 3.84 cm in length

Another view of Baby Spryn at 11 Weeks

The Doc snuck in a 3D picture, although it doesn't look like much to me!

11 Weeks - 177 beats per minute

11 Weeks - Another view of Baby Spryn, measuring about 3.69 cm in length

Until next time...

We're back!

Our long delay in posts poses the question -- what happened?  Our family had the unfortunate situation of dealing with a miscarriage at 10 weeks in mid-October of last year.  Although miscarriages are quite common in early pregnancy, they are a big deal to the families that go through them.

Going in for your (very exciting and nerve wrecking) first ultrasound and not hearing a heart beat just breaks your own heart into pieces.  Jonathan and I shared a day or two of pouting, decided we should work out our frustrations on our house, and then got back into the swing of things.  Many doctor's bills, 3 ultrasounds, a few pills, and some tears later... we're back...


....and with great news.  We are sixteen weeks pregnant!