A Sneak Peek

from a guest author, the new Aunt! I've included a few choice pictures of new Zachary Wall, born 12/23/08 at 3:40 pm. Weighing at a cool 7.5 oz and measuring at 20.5 inches, Zachary has joined the family. We couldn't be more excited. (Although we're not so sure about Norm)

I won't bore you will all the idle talk of the last three days, I know you're here for the pictures. Keep coming back for more (now that I'm officially an author) as we'll be updating regularly.

Shower me, please

People are just too sweet to me, they always have been. I am blessed with extremely generous friends and family, and those hosting and attending my baby shower(s) are no exception. My sweet aunt Vick and sister Lauren hosted a lovely girls brunch and then my work friends Ali and Sonia hosted a Friday afternoon shower for my work gals. I got stuff like diapers (until the baby can fit into the cloth ones I bought), diaper pails, crib sheets, darling outfits and baby books and toys. Everything is ready for Baby Wall!

Vick & Lauren's Shower

Work friends at KPMG

Apparently this holds 44 diapers...sure.

What's in a name?

Baby Wall is 35 weeks along today, and we had another ultrasound. He/she was weighing in at 5 and a half pounds and still charting along to arrive on the 27th. My doctor has the faux due date of January 1, but that is just not happening. I repeat, not happening. Alex thinks that Baby Wall would come between the 25-29 and I don't really support that plan either. I would enjoy a December 20th due date. Early enough that it will not interfere with Christmas, but still late enough to give plenty of time for Baby Wall to cook. I realize I have no control over any of this, which more than likely makes me want to exert MORE control.

Either way, Baby Wall is going to be here before we know it, and we figured it was time to finalize and announce the names. We have had the boy name for a while but the girl's name was harder to pick. Below are the finals (and no we do not want opinions/suggestions):

Zachary Wall

Caroline Wall

Here is a very blurry picture of Zachary/Caroline's face. He/she is laying on his/her left side, so the bright spot in the center is the nose. Yes, I realize it is a terrible picture...and it was the best of the 3 that were taken. Really it just looks like a bunch of fuzz, enjoy.

Halloween

Last night was Halloween and Alex and I dressed up as Steven Segal and a pregnant angel, respectively. Of course any costume I had would have 'pregnant' attached to it. Today we picked up the dresser/changing table for Baby Wall's room. Alex and Dave were very happy to discover it arrived fully put together...unlike the crib which is waiting for Grandaddy Wayne to come and put it together with Alex. Below are pictures of the baby's room and Halloween. Only 8 more weeks until Baby Wall's due date!

Dresser/changing table

Area of room where the glider will go, currently holding the terrifying (per Norman) swing



Alex, Kinsey and Andy (aka Richie Tennenbaum)

32 Weeks pregnant

4 Navel Oranges

Baby Wall is now 9 weeks away from his/her due date! Scary for me, hopefully exciting for Baby Wall. Below is the update of what is going on with him/her this week:


This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.



Alex would like to know if Baby Wall moves more than other babies, a sure sign that he/she is like him. We all know that if Baby Wall is like me, he/she will enjoy relaxing and reading not running and jumping. We can see the baby move in my belly now, it looks like a bag of popcorn in the microwave. He/she is still super active at night, last night especially. And Baby Wall really does not like it when I put my book on my belly to read. I get constant kicks it until I move the book. However, last night the kicks kept up after I had moved the book. We had a little conversation about the fact that it is technically MY belly, and he/she is just visiting and will be away from my annoying book reading soon enough! Already, I am at the whim of my child.

Baby Wall's First Safari

Safari Cake & Decorations

Hostesses
Liv and Great Grandmother Rowena's Gift - Pack n Play

I had my first baby shower on Sunday, hosted by 6 of Liv's friends out in "the neighborhood". The theme was Safari and the hostess really went all out, with animals everywhere! Everyone that came was so generous and we got some much wonderful stuff! I have to say that when I was opening things, I was not 100% sure what most of them were for...some of the grandmas had to help me and explain. Alex came out at the very end to help load up and say hi to the hostesses. I had to put together something when we got home, so I chose the bouncer. Again, not quite sure what it is for, but it plays music, vibrates and plays nature sounds. Just what everyone needs.

26 Weeks

Baby Wall is now 27 weeks and about the size of a head of cauliflower. At my doctor's appointment last week the baby was doing great, hanging out in breech position with his/her head just above my belly button. That makes sense considering I feel multiple "kicks" at the same time, some high and some low. Baby Wall loves to kick my bladder at this point. It is the most strange feeling, very alien in your tummy. The 3D one is kinda creepy...as my mom said this has got to be one of the most photographed baby ever. I just like the 3D one as you can see his/her little nose and the left hand that is right next to the face. Alex did count (like my dad's mom would have) and you can see 4 fingers and a thumb.

Ike, Ike Baby

Yes, we had a hurricane in Houston and yes, we are all fine thankfully! Hurricane Ike did not stop Baby Wall from kicking up a storm as Alex and I "sheltered in place" on my twin blow up mattress (sorry Daddy might be too much info). The almost Level 3 Hurricane did not stop me from having to get up to tinkle numerous times during the hurricane (next to a window I might add). Not too easy for this getting-larger-by-the-day pregnant lady to get up off the floor. Already showing total disregard for his/her mother. Below are some pre and post Hurricane photos of the house.

Seattle

We had a great time with Alex's grandmother Rowena in Seattle for Labor day. I definitely ate, slept and had to break for the restroom more than her...and she is turning 90 in November. Baby Wall kept to his/her schedule of kicking me first thing in the morning and at night.

21 Weeks

Well I thought I would post a pic of my ever growing belly (and rest of me really). Baby Wall definitely enjoys Shipley's. Alex and I are both constantly shocked at how round my belly is getting every week. Alex has felt the baby move a few times now, and he/she is moving all the time just for me to feel.

Kicking and Growing

Baby Wall has starting kicking! Well, he/she has been kicking for a while, but I just starting feeling it. I felt the first movement at 19 weeks, but was not sure if that was REALLY it. Confirmed this past week as the feelings are getting stronger and Alex even felt the baby kick. He/she really likes to be active between 11 pm - 12 am...I feel that does not bode well for us in the future.

16 Weeks

We had our 16 week appoitment on July 17th and Alex got to see the baby move around, wave his/her little hand at us and then settle down with his/her fists over his/her ears. We still don't know what we are having, and hope to not find out!

12 Weeks

We went for the last ultrasound until week 16 and Baby Wall is really growing! He/she is the size of a lemon now and was moving and turning all around. We got to see its brain, 4 chambers of the heart and a sort of scary front on view. Alex wanted to know when the baby would stop being see-through...

11 Weeks

Baby Wall is 11 weeks along now, the bean has turned into a baby! You can see its sweet little profile. It was kicking against the side of me, which was totally odd and cool - not that I could feel a thing.

10 Weeks

The bean is 10 weeks now, and getting bigger. It looks like a potato with a sprout. It was moving the entire time I was at the doctor, squirming and waving its one arm (that I could see, hopefully there are two), it measures about 3/4 of an inch, and the heartbeat was very strong. Today the due date was December 31st- who knows when he/she will arrive!

6 weeks and counting! Baby Wall is due January 2, 2009