Isaiah and Great Grandma Reichenbach

Today Great Grandma Reichenbach came to meet Isaiah. Since there was a snow storm after Isaiah's arrival, not many people were able to make it to the hospital to see him. Grandma, Aunt Susie, and Aunt Carol all came to see him. He was as pleasant as ever and welcomed the company.

Bringing Isaiah Home

Today we bring Isaiah home. We are all so excited to get home with our new bundle of joy. He is a wonderful baby, very calm and sweet. He looked like a little snow bunny when we were leaving the hospital, he looks so small in his carseat.

It's a Boy

Today I was induced, I was really scared as I have heard horror stories about pitocin (sp ?) and how hard and fast it makes your contractions. I arrived at the hospital around 7 AM, we registered and were in our room by 7:30 AM. The first thing they did was hook me up to an IV and pumped a bag of fluid in me. Then the doctor came in and checked my dilation, I was 3 cm. They broke my water at 10:00 AM, and then I began walking the hallways. I walked for 45 minutes, then the contractions started to come. They were definately getting stronger, but I was glad I did not need any pitocin, the labor came on naturally after they broke my water. I took a luke warm bath (I was disappointed - no hot water) It helped with my back somewhat. Then I could not take the pain anymore I needed my epidural. The doc came in and I was 4 cm. I could get my epidural. I waited about 10 minutes for my epidural and the epidural process took 30 minutes to complete, but once it was in, I was a much different person. Bill was glad for the epidural also. The doc came in later and I was 6 cm, they could not believe how fast I was progressing. I was glad for that also. Then around 5:30 I felt some pressure like things were getting closer. I waited a little while then called the nurse. The doc came and checked for dilation and I was 10 cm. They started rolling carts in and said this baby is coming now. I felt relieved. Sure enough after only 10 minutes of pushing, our baby boy was here. He arrived at exactly 6:00 PM and was 7 lbs 9.6 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long, with a head of 35 cm. He was perfect in everyway. The doc said what is his name, and I looked at my husband (since we still were undecided up to the birth) and he said, Isaiah. I smiled big. This was the name I wanted from the day I found out I was pregnant, it was the boy name I liked and felt was for this little one. His full name is Isaiah John Arthur Rahn. We named him John, after my Dad, and Arthur, after Bill's Dad. We are so happy and kids love their new little brother.

40 Weeks

How your baby's growing:It's hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it's a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called "molding" is the reason your baby's noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it's normal and temporary.

39 1/2 week ultrasound

I had my bio-physical ultrasound today, it took awhile to get the little one awake but finally the little one gave a few good kicks. The breathing was good, heartrate was good at 146. The baby has remained in the birth position, so we did not get any good pictures. The baby is weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz, with 1/2 - 1 pound margin of error. I had two contractions during the ultrasound, the baby does not move during a contraction. It was interesting to see the baby's reaction to my contractions.

39 weeks

How your baby's growing:Your baby's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

39 week checkup

I had my 39 week checkup today. The non stress test went well, the baby is doing good, heart rate strong at 140 range. I am measuring at 41 weeks, I go for another ultrasound on Monday to check weight and biophysical profile. If I do not go into labor naturally by next Thursday, they plan to induce me at 7:00 AM on Thursday, February 21st, 2008. I am hoping that the baby decides to make its debute before then though. I am still only 2 cm dilated, I was hoping to be 3 cm this time. I gained one pound since last week, so I am now at 14 lbs total weight gain.

38 1/2 week Ultrasound

Today I had my ultrasound, Amy went along with me to the ultrasound. The baby passed and everything is ok. The baby moved, practices breathing, and its heartrate was 133. The baby has dropped or lightened into my pelvic now. Since the baby was down so far the technician was not able to get any good pictures this week. All we could see was half of the face, and the baby was sleeping with its hands over its face as it normally likes to do. Hopefully soon enough I will get to see those chubby cheeks and little hands that cover that beautiful face.

Contractions - 4 minutes apart

I woke up today at 1:00 AM with contractions, they were 5 minutes apart, I timed them for 1/2 hour before waking up Bill. I woke him up at 1:40 AM, we got our stuff ready, called Mom and headed for the hospital at 2:00 AM. We arrived at the hospital a little before 3:00 AM. We went to labor and delivery, my contractions were 4 minutes apart at this point. They checked me for dilation and I was 2 cm. They hooked me up to the monitoring devices to monitor the baby's heartrate and contractions. As I laid there my contractions began to slow down, I would have contractions 1 minute apart then 8 minutes apart, all over the place. They monitored me until 9 AM, then the doctor checked for dilation again, still only 2 cm. They sent me home.

On the way home we stopped for breakfast and then to walmart for some necessities that were needed in case the baby would come later today or tomorrow. We then went home and worked hard to get the house more settled and baby clothes washed, the crib ready, and the pack and play ready. We are now ready when the baby is.

38 Weeks

Today I had my 38 week check-up/non-stress test. The baby was not real active, I am sure it was just tired from a restless night, Hannah is sick and was up coughing most of the night. The doctor checked my cervix and found that I am 1 1/2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. The doctor also stripped my membranes, we are hoping to go into labor by next week. I am sure the baby will make that decision though.

Here is the development information from babycenter.com

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they usually won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

37 weeks Ultrasound pics

I had my 37 week ultrasound today, the baby cooperated for a few pics. Most of the time when I go to my appointment, the baby has its hands/arms over its face. The baby has chubby cheeks, some hair, long fingers, and the Reichenbach nose. It's breathing is doing great. Everything is going well.

37 weeks

I had my non-stress test yesterday, everything is going good. I lost 4 pounds, most likely due to the move to our new house and stress. Here is the developmental information for this week.

How your baby's growing:Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

36 Weeks

How your baby's growing:Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position. But if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

Your baby is almost ready and most likely, so are you! The only organ still to mature is the lungs. While certainly you are both growing anxious to meet, remember that each day (up to 42 weeks), that your little one stays within your womb will multiply his chances to breathe on his own.
If he hasn't already, this week your baby may drop into the birth canal. While breathing for mom becomes easier, walking may be the exact opposite! If he's not your first baby, this "lightening" may not occur until right before labor.
Fat is dimpling your baby's elbows and knees, and forming creases in the neck and wrists.
His skin is growing smooth and, shall we say it, "baby" soft.
His gums are very rigid. It won't be many months before you'll see his teeth.
She has a fully developed pair of kidneys and her liver has begun processing some waste products.
Your child's average size is now 18.66 inches (47.4cm) and 5.78 pounds (2622 g). Between now and birth she will gain about an ounce a day!

Sweet Pea's photo shoot (Ultrasound #2)

Today I had an ultrasound to check the baby's breathing, heart rate, and movements etc. Since I started insulin, the doctor wants to make sure the baby is doing well with everything also. I took my grandma, mom, and Hannah with me. It was a really cool experience, my mom and grandma had never seen an ultrasound done before. It was a pretty neat experience for them. Today is my grandma's 81st birthday. It was a nice day out for us girls, we went to the ultrasound, then to a consignment shop, then to Red Lobster for lunch. It was a really nice day out, I always treasure the time I get out with my mom and grandma. Hannah was so funny today, she kept making faces, she is understanding her emotions a lot more these days and has a facial expression for everyone of them. Her mad face will make anyone laugh, it is hilarious.

The baby is doing well, the heart rate was a little low initially but I was laying on my back and the baby was sleeping when the ultrasound began, the heart rate was 122, once I turned to my side and we woke the baby up, the rate went up to 146. It was so cute to see the baby, it has chubby cheeks just like Hannah. The baby has some hair, which explains this horrible heartburn I have been having these days. The baby is strunched in there pretty good, when the baby moved you could see its little nose and cheeks smushing up against the protective wall barrier. We saw the umbilical cord which just looked like bubbles. The baby was sleeping with its arm over its eyes, but then when we woke him/her up, it was moving its hands all over and it had its foot up by its cheeks. The baby is still in head down position. We are so excited to see this little one, I wish Bill could have been here, but he has to get our house finished so we can live there before the baby comes. Our goal is to move into the house this weekend if all goes well.

35 Weeks

Week Thirty-Five
The average baby weighs almost five and a half pounds now.
Most babies born now will survive and without many long-term problems.
Fat accumulations plumps up the arms and legs this week. These layers of fat will help him regulate his body temperature. They also provide those cute little dimples on elbows and knees!
Her hearing is fully developed, so be sure to talk to your daughter. Do you find yourself speaking in a high-pitched tone? That's okay since some studies show babies respond better to higher pitches.
It's getting crowded! Your baby is now taking up most of the uterus and you may even feel like your chest has run out of room! Soon enough though, baby will move down and you'll be able to breathe easily again (just not walk so easily! Ha!).
Your baby is 18.2 inches (46.2cm) long and weighs 5.3 pounds (2383gm).
The testes have completed their descent in males.

35 Week checkup

I had my doctors appointment today, to my suprise they did not check me for dilation. They plan to check me at my next appointment. From here out, I will have two appointments a week, every Monday I will have an ultrasound (Baby photo shoot), and every Thursday I will have my regular appointment with a non-stress test. They increased my inculin by 2 units, so I am now up to 7 units at bedtime. This is still a small amount, my fasting levels have been better, but they would like to see them better yet. The doctor prayed with me at my last appointment, which I thought was way cool. He prayed that the baby would come in God's timing and according to God's will and that the delivery would go smoothly with no complications and that the baby would be healthy as well as me. I thought this was really cool. I gained 12 lbs so far, I gained 1 1/2 pounds since my last checkup. I am measuring at 36 weeks now, just one week ahead. The baby's heartbeat was strong at 133.

34 Weeks

How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Week Thirty-Four
Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.
She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized!
Antibodies from your blood are being tranferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breastmilk will add even more protection against disease.
Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix.
Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born!
Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

Mucus Plug

I lost my mucus plug this morning at 3:30 AM. I have had some small contractions today but nothing measurable. My lower back has been hurting most of the day and I have had some minor cramping. A search on google indicated that when the mucus plug comes out, it is a sign of the cervix softening. Dilation is likely around the corner, but could take weeks to progress to labor. However there was a warning that if your mucus plug comes out prior to 35 weeks, you should see a doctor to be safe. I have been trying to contact my doctors office all day, the line is busy. I will schedule an appointment to be safe.

33 Weeks

How your baby's growing:This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Amniotic fluid is at its highest level during your pregnancy.
Your baby's head size has increased 3/8ths of an inch due to rapid brain growth.
Neurons and synapses are developing in huge numbers -- forming connections in your baby's brain will give him the skills he needs to thrive as a newborn. This week, he may be able to coordinate sucking and swallowing with breathing.
While most of his bones are hardening, his skull is quite pliable and not completely joined. The bones will be able to move slightly to make birthing easier.
You baby takes intermittent deep breaths -- of water! That's okay, though since she gets oxygen from the placenta. This breathing exercises muscles and encourages her lung cells to produce more surfactant (a protein essential for healthy lung development).
If your baby is a boy, his testicles will be descending from his abdomen into his scrotum. Sometimes one or both testicles won't move into position until after birth.
Your infant is now 17.2 inches (43.7cm) long and weighs 4.23 pounds (1918gm).