Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
1 cm...almost
We had our 39-week appointment today and found out my cervix is almost 1 cm dilated and starting to thin out a little. So we're making progress...slowly. Should we start taking birthday predictions?
A few other observations from the doctor's office:
3 weeks - 20 weeks - 26 weeks - 32 weeks - 39 weeks
A few other observations from the doctor's office:
- For some reason, my doctor always plays the most depressing selection of "muzak" possible. Within a 30-minute period this morning, I heard the theme songs to "Ghost," "Love Story," and "Terms of Endearment." What do these three films have in common? They are the tear-jerkiest of the tear-jerkers and perfectly good people die in them! I'm not sure what setting these would be appropriate song choices for, but I do know that I spent a good portion of my appointment waiting for Shirley MacLaine to bust through the door and demand that my nurse give her daughter the shot!
- There was someone or something pounding on the wall and screaming in the exam room next to ours. It might have been a small child...or a small velociraptor. We're pretty sure the pounding was its tail thwacking against the wall. The alternating tail thwacks and screeches went on for 20 minutes. This, along with the depressing music, really made for an enjoyable, spa-like atmosphere, as you can imagine.
- If speed-peeing in a plastic cup were a winter Olympic sport, I'd pick up the gold.
3 weeks - 20 weeks - 26 weeks - 32 weeks - 39 weeks
Thursday, February 4, 2010
38 weeks
We've officially made it into February and the 38th week! The Raijbaby's been a little quieter the past few days, so we had an ultrasound at our weekly appointment today just to make sure she's still comfortable in there...and she is. Everything looks great, and we found out our little girl weighs 6 pounds and 14 ounces right now! We also could see that she was sprouting some hair (and, fortunately, no beard).
Last night, we had the crib delivered and it looks beautiful. It's convertible, which means we can eventually change it into a toddler bed, a full bed, and even a day bed. We're still waiting on the matching dresser/changing table, but apparently baby furniture, much like babies, has a rather lengthy gestational period because we ordered this stuff in November!
Here are some photos of the crib and, more importantly, the start of the Raijbaby's eclectic music collection. Thanks to the Gorovsky grandparents for the furniture and to Dan for the CDs. Thank you also to the Raij grandparents for the stroller, car seats, and Pack 'n Play; to the Brandon family and Uncle Irwin for the video camera; to Uncle Brett for the Babies 'R Us gift card; and to the Cohens, Loks, Novotneys, Jacobsons, and Johnsens for some great clothes and other goodies. We are so lucky to have such generous family and friends.
Lullaby renditions of Queen and Radiohead...cause the Raijbaby already loves Freddie Mercury and depressing alt-rock.
Last night, we had the crib delivered and it looks beautiful. It's convertible, which means we can eventually change it into a toddler bed, a full bed, and even a day bed. We're still waiting on the matching dresser/changing table, but apparently baby furniture, much like babies, has a rather lengthy gestational period because we ordered this stuff in November!
Here are some photos of the crib and, more importantly, the start of the Raijbaby's eclectic music collection. Thanks to the Gorovsky grandparents for the furniture and to Dan for the CDs. Thank you also to the Raij grandparents for the stroller, car seats, and Pack 'n Play; to the Brandon family and Uncle Irwin for the video camera; to Uncle Brett for the Babies 'R Us gift card; and to the Cohens, Loks, Novotneys, Jacobsons, and Johnsens for some great clothes and other goodies. We are so lucky to have such generous family and friends.
Lullaby renditions of Queen and Radiohead...cause the Raijbaby already loves Freddie Mercury and depressing alt-rock.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
36 weeks/Where did my belly button go?
Wow, 36 weeks! We're starting to feel pretty anxious over here but also a little more prepared now that we have most of the baby gear we'll need right away. Apparently, newborns don't need that much stuff, but we can at least say that the Raijbaby will have a place to sleep, some clothes to wear, and some diapers to, well, you-know-what in. On Saturday, we went to an expectant parents class at the hospital, where we got some good tips on feedings, changings, and what to expect those first few weeks (if you can ever really know what to expect). Today, we had both of our cars vacuumed and shampooed--de-Rubified, if you will. If there's one skill Ruby has, it's shedding! Now we can install the car seats on actual upholstery instead of an inch of dog hair.
As we prepare for the Raijbaby's arrival, my belly button has decided to drop below my level of vision. If I want to see my belly button (or what's left of it), I have to look in a mirror, as is demonstrated below. It hasn't popped out so much as stretched out. I don't really miss it, but it's a little strange when your body parts relocate. And that is one low-hangin' button.
As we prepare for the Raijbaby's arrival, my belly button has decided to drop below my level of vision. If I want to see my belly button (or what's left of it), I have to look in a mirror, as is demonstrated below. It hasn't popped out so much as stretched out. I don't really miss it, but it's a little strange when your body parts relocate. And that is one low-hangin' button.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
35 weeks
Since I'm a little late with a New Year's-themed belly shot, our buddy Dan suggested a Tu b'Shevat photo instead. That seems fitting since Tu b'Shevat is the Jewish Arbor Day--New Year's for trees, if you will (and it takes place at the end of this month). The only problem is that the tree out back that I'd like to take a photo next to has a dead squirrel lying at the bottom of it. So I decided to avoid rabies and get a little crafty instead. Ruby, being a huge fan of trees (but more so of real trees with dead squirrels underneath), couldn't help but get in the shot. Here is the belly at 35 weeks and still growing...like a tree.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
We've been invaded
...by baby stuff. And we have decided to ignore today's delivery of the stroller, car seat, and Pack 'n Play in favor of eating peanut butter cookies.
Not just a stroller and car seat--a "travel system." Now the Raijbaby can be catapulted into space to explore the galaxy!
The Pack 'n Play features another space-sounding term: "newborn napper station." We think it's like a lunar module that will allow the Raijbaby to achieve a state of sleepiness unattainable by such low-tech equipment as a bassinet.
Not just a stroller and car seat--a "travel system." Now the Raijbaby can be catapulted into space to explore the galaxy!
The Pack 'n Play features another space-sounding term: "newborn napper station." We think it's like a lunar module that will allow the Raijbaby to achieve a state of sleepiness unattainable by such low-tech equipment as a bassinet.Ruby's first snow
We got the lightest dusting of snow ever here in Memphis, but it was still enough to pique Ruby's interest. I thought she deserved a little extra playtime during her morning walk, so here is the story of Ruby's first snow in pictures...
Gotta sniff to make sure it's safe out there
Cute puppy paw prints in the snow!
All clear! Snow is suitable to pee on.
Ruby made yellow snow.
Ruby shows how tough she is by sitting in the snow.
On the lookout for any other strange substances...
A ferocious Ruby shows Mother Nature
that it's gonna take a lot more than snow to keep her down!
Gotta sniff to make sure it's safe out there
Cute puppy paw prints in the snow!
All clear! Snow is suitable to pee on.
Ruby made yellow snow.
Ruby shows how tough she is by sitting in the snow.
On the lookout for any other strange substances...
A ferocious Ruby shows Mother Naturethat it's gonna take a lot more than snow to keep her down!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Belated Hanukkah belly picture
After posing with our little Thanksgiving turkey, I had promised a friend I'd keep the holiday-themed belly photos coming. I'm a little late with the Hanukkah/December pic, but here I am with our LED menorah (a great gift from the Cohen family). Anyone have a strobe light I could pose with for the New Year's photo?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
32 weeks
Sorry for the long blog hiatus, but it's been a busy month! For Hanukkah, we enjoyed latkes and warm weather with the Raijs in Miami. It was great to see so many aunts, uncles, and cousins at the Hanukkah party. Last week, mom-to-be and belly traveled to Chicago for a visit with the Gorovskys. The trip was extended a few days due to winter weather and flight cancellations, so it ended up being a nice, long visit full of friends, family, movies, and LOTS of snow--plus another Hanukkah party with more family! Now we're anxious to see if some of that Chicago weather hits Memphis. Snow is predicted for tonight and tomorrow morning, and it's been pretty cold. Fortunately, we had some homemade picadillo to keep us all warm tonight. And the Raijbaby's kicking after dinner seemed to indicate she likes Cuban food! Check out a photo of the meal and the latest belly pics below.
From 0 to 32 weeks and still growing...funny how the elastic in those shorts can expand just as much as the belly!
A frontal shot of the belly, which is so white it appears to be glowing.
Best batch of picadillo yet (and rice)!
From 0 to 32 weeks and still growing...funny how the elastic in those shorts can expand just as much as the belly!
A frontal shot of the belly, which is so white it appears to be glowing.
Best batch of picadillo yet (and rice)!Sunday, December 6, 2009
My body and fitting clothes over it
Guess what? This is not a practical body shape:
By "practical," I mean that this shape is neither effective nor preferable for functioning in daily life. You know, activities like sleeping, sitting in a booth, getting in and out of vehicles, walking on two legs, walking in between things, bending down, sitting, getting up from the sitting position, using a sink, and wearing clothes.
Speaking of clothes, I just want to offer up a quick rant about maternity fashion--and I use the term "fashion" loosely. Now, I know that maternity clothes have improved significantly over the last decade, but what is with all the bows? I am not a present, and I do not appreciate being dressed as such. Furthermore, I know that the bow is used mainly to give some shape to otherwise tent-like shirts. Well, I'm not buying it. Cut that shirt correctly and let the seams give it shape. I should not have to tie a string under my boobs because maternity clothing designers can't make a proper shirt. And if the shirt doesn't have a bow, it has a hood. Do pregnant women get caught in the rain more than non-pregnant women? Do they often participate in some kind of athletic training that might require being hooded? I like hoods, but I don't need one on all of my shirts. I wasn't particularly athletic pre-pregnancy, and my impractical new body shape clearly indicates that I am not athletic now. End rant.
As a final observation, I was watching "Batman Returns" the other night--that's the one with Catwoman and Penguin. Guess who I don't look like? Catwoman. Guess who I do look like? Penguin. The waddling certainly doesn't help matters. Wonder where he shopped...
By "practical," I mean that this shape is neither effective nor preferable for functioning in daily life. You know, activities like sleeping, sitting in a booth, getting in and out of vehicles, walking on two legs, walking in between things, bending down, sitting, getting up from the sitting position, using a sink, and wearing clothes.Speaking of clothes, I just want to offer up a quick rant about maternity fashion--and I use the term "fashion" loosely. Now, I know that maternity clothes have improved significantly over the last decade, but what is with all the bows? I am not a present, and I do not appreciate being dressed as such. Furthermore, I know that the bow is used mainly to give some shape to otherwise tent-like shirts. Well, I'm not buying it. Cut that shirt correctly and let the seams give it shape. I should not have to tie a string under my boobs because maternity clothing designers can't make a proper shirt. And if the shirt doesn't have a bow, it has a hood. Do pregnant women get caught in the rain more than non-pregnant women? Do they often participate in some kind of athletic training that might require being hooded? I like hoods, but I don't need one on all of my shirts. I wasn't particularly athletic pre-pregnancy, and my impractical new body shape clearly indicates that I am not athletic now. End rant.
As a final observation, I was watching "Batman Returns" the other night--that's the one with Catwoman and Penguin. Guess who I don't look like? Catwoman. Guess who I do look like? Penguin. The waddling certainly doesn't help matters. Wonder where he shopped...
Friday, November 27, 2009
Stuffed!
We spent Thanksgiving in Memphis this year, so we missed our family and friends, but it was still a nice day. We're really looking forward to spending next year's holidays with family, friends, and our new addition. Our semi-homemade meal included smoked turkey (not homemade), mashed potatoes (homemade), stuffing (semi-homemade), roasted brussels sprouts (homemade), gravy (homemade), cranberry sauce (not homemade), and pumpkin pie (homemade). [A note to anyone looking to cook parve or non-dairy sides: soy milk and Smart Balance worked great in the mashed potatoes, and vanilla soy milk worked well as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in the pumpkin pie.] As you can see from the photos, Ruby enjoyed herself as well. Our holiday also included a visit from a stray dog (the second one we've found since moving here!), but luckily we were able to contact his owner and get him home. Ruby had been less than excited about the prospect of sharing her turkey...
The full meal
Ruby's plate
Our little turkey (who doesn't look so little compared to the real turkey)
Ruby suffering from a post-Thanksgiving food coma
The full meal
Ruby's plate
Our little turkey (who doesn't look so little compared to the real turkey)
Ruby suffering from a post-Thanksgiving food comaTuesday, November 24, 2009
28 weeks
At my doctor's appointment this morning, I took a glucose tolerance test, which is typically given to pregnant women between their 24th and 28th weeks to test for gestational diabetes. I had to drink a bottle of Glucola, a glucose solution that just tasted like orange pop (or soda for you non-Midwesterners) within five minutes and then get my blood tested an hour later to see how the glucose solution was metabolized. Fortunately, I passed the test and do not have gestational diabetes. Other than some excessive burping afterward, it was a normal appointment and everything looks good.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Name game
A long (but real) Facebook thread regarding naming the Raijbaby. Feel free to add your own suggestions from 80s and 90s sitcoms.
Daniel Bar-Nahum
How's Tootie Blaire Raij doing?
October 25 at 10:47pm · Delete
Daniel Bar-Nahum
How's Tootie Blaire Raij doing?
October 25 at 10:47pm · Delete
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Elaine George Jerry Kramer Raij
Monica Rachel Phoebe Raij Bing
Karen Will Jack Grace Raij
Mona Angela Tony Samatha Jonathan Raij
Gordon Shumway Raij. (only less hairy)