Nicholas Maravillas’ Blog

We went to the doctor’s office today for a check up and some tests. I had to drink 10oz of this super sweet glucose concoction, reminiscent of Veryfine fruit punch that you got in elementary school but tangier and a bit thicker. After drinking that, I had to hang out for an hour before they had to take some blood to test my sugar and hemoglobin levels. While we were waiting, I had a check up with the NP in the office. She was cool and answered all of my questions. Nicholas and I are measuring on schedule and doing well. She got his heartbeat right away on the doppler and it was a strong, healthy 156 beats per minute. He tends to stay in the 150’s. Kind of puts to rest that old wives’ tale about heartbeats over 140 means a girl! I also got my second RhoGam shot, so the injection spot is a little tender but that’s to be expected. We go back in about 3 weeks.

In other news, we are going to try another paint color this weekend in the nursery, as the first two we chose turned out slightly more florescent than we’d like. We are also starting to meet with pediatricians and begin our childbirth classes at the hospital in the coming weeks. We are slowly getting unpacked and settled in the house. We have all the necessities and some extra things unpacked, but we still can’t fit our cars in the garage so that is the next task. Overall life is pretty good.

I am growing and growing now! I weigh just over 2 pounds and am about 14.5 inches long when I stretch out. Mom really likes it when I do that. The retinas in my eyes are forming and the nerves in my ears continue to develop. My lungs continue to mature and I am practicing breathing and swallowing. I can cry now, but luckily for mom and dad they can’t hear me yet.

My parents ordered us a glider and ottoman for my birthday, a little early. (Thanks Mom and Dad!) We picked it up and Matthew put it together today. It is so nice and comfy- we just love it!

We also picked out two paint colors and got samples to try them out. One is a shade of green and the other a shade of blue. But not pastel baby blue. When we decide and actually paint the entire room, I’ll post pictures. But meanwhile here are some pics of the chair.

I am about 2 pounds and over 14 inches long.  My brain is busy these days, kicking out brainwaves for auditory and visual activities.  The nerves in my ears are developing and I can recognize sounds, including dad’s voice.  I’ve been listening to mom ramble on for long enough now, its time for some variety!  I can open and close my eyes now too.  Only 98 days till my due date!

I measure around 13.5 inches long and weigh about a pound and a half. I long and lean, but am starting to put on body fat and get those chubby cherub cheeks. My spine, including the rings, ligaments and joints, are starting to come together this week. You can tell the color and texture of my hair already but it may change after I am born. Who will I look more like, mom or dad?  Only 15 weeks till you find out at my debut!

Yup, its true. We are the proud owners of a new, beautiful home. We closed on the house last Wednesday and moved in Labor Day weekend. Our parents, my brother and Oma came to help and it was great! Tamara, who now after all these years of being apart lives just 2.5 hours away, even came for the day to help. We could not have done it without them. They have done so much for us that we appreciate more than they know.

Zoë has finally adjusted, we think. The stairs were intimidating for her and for the first couple of days she wouldn’t go up or down by herself. But now she is charging up and down them like a crazy kitty. It still feels like we are house-sitting for someone and will have to leave soon but that’ll wear off I am sure. Maybe when the first mortgage payment is due…

We are slowly unpacking everything and getting settled. The biggest project now is to start on the nursery! Here are some pictures. We’ll post more of the inside when we’re all unpacked, or at least have it looking a bit more presentable. And we’ll be sending new address cards in the next few days so don’t ask us for our address yet. Just check your mail.

So I read today that my uterus is the size of a soccer ball now.  That was a visual I didn’t need this morning…   My tummy is not as torpedo shaped as it appears in the picture, I think that is from the shirt.

I will gain up to 6 ounces this week as my bones harden and my muscles develop.  My respiratory system continues to develop and the branches and trees of my lungs are forming.  They will help produce surfactant, a substance that allows the air sacs to inflate easily.  I’ll need that when I want to scream and make my presence known to mom and dad at 3am.  Only 16 more weeks till my debut.

Mom’s been feeling them for a while, but lately I’ve been able to feel Nicholas kicking more and more. It was hard to feel it at all at first. Even a few weeks ago it felt like a muscle spasm, but lately he’s been getting stronger, and it feels more like a real kick now (much to Mom’s dismay, I’m sure).

In other news, we’re in our new house now, and we’re all four of us tired. Pictures soon, once we put away a few more boxes.