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.