28 Weeks...needle pokin' time again...

28 Weeks Pregnant

Your Pregnancy: Week 28

You may have given a passing thought to what the new member of the household will be like (and by "passing thought" we mean obsessive rumination). Will she be a good sleeper? Will he draw on the furniture with a Sharpie? Get an inside scoop by pumping your own parents for information on how you and your partner were as kids: how much you weighed at birth, your first words the first time you cut off all of Barbie's hair. ... Your parents will get misty at the memories and you may, too. Maybe out of hope for the future, maybe out of fear for your leather sofa.Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"Billions of people have children and figure it out. So I must be able to do it too, right? Right! Right?"

Your Body:

Woohoo! You have hit the third trimester mark, so add another notch to your belt (both figuratively and literally). If your early blood workup showed that you are Rh negative, you'll need to get a shot of RhoGAM, or Rh immunoglobulin, this week. The shot prevents potential complications in a future baby you may carry if that baby is Rh positive. Your Rh status doesn't matter when it comes to this baby, but you'll want to get the shot in case you're planning on having more bambinos. If your baby is born with Rh-positive blood (because Papa chipped in an Rh-positive gene), you'll be given another dose of RhoGAM after you deliver to make sure everything will be good to go for any future pregnancies.
If your glucose screening test came back positive, your doc will probably want to give you a glucose tolerance test some time soon. The test—for gestational diabetes—involves some dietary changes in the days leading up to it (more carbs!) and a longer visit to the doc on the day of the test (it's a three-hour test instead of the one-hour one you took the first time). And it's another chance to load up on that yummy glucose cocktail—shaken, not stirred! If you do end up testing positive for gestational diabetes, your doctor will probably put you on a super-healthy diet for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Your Baby

As the Big Day nears, your baby is getting ready to go towards the light at the end of the tunnel (the tunnel being the birth canal, the light being the one the doctor is shining directly into it so she can see what the heck she's doing).
Other highlights this week:Your baby's eyes are partially open now and can blink. Truly superior babies can actually wink. (OK, there is no way to prove that, but it's fun to imagine, no?) Your baby can also now become a shiny, happy person as she has begun having rapid eye movement (Get it? REM? Shiny, happy person?? We'll be here all week.)Her eyes have color now, too. It may not be the color she ultimately ends up with, especially if they're light gray or blue. The eyes typically don't settle on a final hue until nine months after baby is born. So when your mother-in-law says that the baby has her eyes, you can politely inform her that they'll most likely change soon.

Sorry.

Your babe is downright chubby compared to a few weeks ago. She is about 15 inches long, about the length of an amusement park cinnamon-sugar-coated churro (yum!), and weighs 2 to 3 pounds.

Your Life

Time to PAR-TAY! Someone in your inner circle will undoubtedly want to toast and roast you with a baby shower so help a sista out and create a list of guest names and addresses. Save a copy of this list for yourself—it will come in handy later for writing thank-you notes. Let the hostess know your registry information—she'll want to include it in the invitation. It's OK to be upfront about what you want and need. Let's face it, no matter how cuddly, no baby needs 42 teddy bears.Twiddling your thumbs waiting for junior to arrive? You'll never again have this kind of free time, so lap it up and indulge in a ridiculous reality-TV marathon. Order in food and veg out on the sofa for the Celebrity Fit Club Marathon.

From the Mind of the Mommy:
Ok so here's the REAL story...
I went to the doctor today and had my initial Blood Glucose screening. They make you drink this sweet Sprite like drink really really fast! Then you see the doctor for a regular check-up and some information about pre term birth. Then you get to spend the remainder of the hour sitting in the waiting room...yay. After waiting and waiting and waiting...did I mention this was all done on an empty stomach...and waiting...they drag you back in and draw your blood!!!!!! Evil plan, starve pregnant people and then poke them with needles! So now I go back to the doctor in 2 weeks to find out if I have to have a much much LONGER test where there draw my blood over and over and over again...Starve starve starve...poke poke poke! Haha it really wasn't that bad my morning sure flew by!
If you read the above the I am NOT Rh negative so that paragraph really doesn't apply to me.
Things are progressing at home. Mike's busting his butt to work on the upstairs...we definitely bit off more that we can chew buts it's getting done! Between him and Lil' Michael ( and some borrowed friends ) they think they will have ALL the drywall up this week in our room! This is VERY exciting! :) I need to get up and take some more pictures but it's too "dangerous" up there for prego and man those stairs are getting harder to climb...I wanted a 2 storey house because????
My mom and Laura came over last night to taste test for the baby shower and measure for baby room curtains! We had so much fun. Cassy and the girls came by for a while too! They stayed until almost 9:30! I can't wait for them to come back!
I located my stethoscope so now we are able to find the baby's heartbeat at home! I can also hear Molly and Peanuts heart beats too! Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom Ba boom! Really fast!
Ok that's all for this week! I hope I didn't forget anything! :)

27 weeks...

Your Pregnancy: Week 27

The light at the end of the tunnel is growing brighter for both you and your baby. With only 13 weeks left (give or take a couple of days), it's time to enjoy the ride because it's getting shorter. (This is the point on the roller coaster where you throw your arms in the air and wail like there's no tomorrow. Wee!)
Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"Why does everyone turn and look at me when the Commodore's song "Brick House" comes on the radio?"

Your Body

As anxious as you are to evict your tenant so you can snuggle with the little bugger, he or she still needs a few more months in the protection of your womb. Pay careful attention to your body and watch for the symptoms of labor. Premature babies have a much higher risk of illness and even death due to low birth weight and underdevelopment, so if you see signs, contact your doctor.If you think you might be in premature labor, try drinking several glasses of water and lying down on your left side. While doing this, feel your stomach for contractions, which will make your uterus hard like your forehead. Doing simple things like cutting out caffeine and eating right can prevent premature labor.

Your Baby

Baby's lungs and immune system are maturing this week as baby prepares for his grand entrance. If he were born today he would have an 85 percent chance of surviving as his lungs are capable of breathing air (with medical assistance, of course).

Other exciting developments:

Baby's done a lot of growing over the past few months. His length has more than doubled in the past 15 weeks! And that's not the only thing growing—baby's brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace. His brain waves are now firing away just like those of a newborn baby. If baby is a he, his testes will have completely descended at this point. Your baby now weighs in at approximately 14½ inches and just over 2 pounds, or about the size of that roast you made last time your in-laws were in town. (OK, the baby is the size of that roast you meant to cook before you decided that ordering Chinese was a much better idea.)

Your Life

Unless you are married to Donald Trump, or Brad and Angelina are planning on giving you all of their hand-me-downs, you are going to have to do some smart, disciplined baby-gear shopping. Registering for gifts at a few baby stores will help you develop a good list of basics and extras. Before you hit the stores or hop online, write a baby-gear shopping list to help keep you focused. Consider registering at a local specialty store as well as a major nationwide department store so that friends near and far can have easy access. Or if you're too eclectic to get your gear from just one place, you can register on Wishlist.com, which corrals all the booty you want from various websites to just one list. Truly brilliant. Once registering has completely exhausted you, head to the movie theater, where you can strap on a popcorn feedbag and zone out to the wicked pleasure of watching Matthew McConaughey's abs. Too bad you can't register for him.

From the mind of the mommy...
I am exhausted...
Stressed out...
Anxious to meet him...
Anxious about the process I have to go through to meet him...
All I can say is that June is coming to soon but then again not soon enough...

26 Weeks...Holy Cow!

This pictures in the green shirt are from week 24-25 and the ones in the sweatshirt are week 25-26! Yeah I know...only 6 months?? CRAZY!

Your Pregnancy: Week 26

If it feels like time is speeding by while simultaneously dragging on, you're not crazy, you're just pregnant. One minute you feel totally unprepared for the changes having a baby will bring, the next minute the anticipation of meeting the Mini that's been swinging from your ribs makes you cry. Such is the roller coaster of pregnancy (and strangely enough, of being a parent, too).Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"Do I have fleas? Why am I so freakin' itchy?"

Your Baby:

Deep breath! Air sacks are developing in your baby's lungs, which means it just might be possible for your baby to take a breath at the end of this week. The air sacks (technically called alveoli) will continue to grow for the next nine years. The membrane that keeps the alveoli separate from the blood vessels is now thin enough to allow for that oxygen–carbon dioxide exchange we call breathing.

Other highlights this week:The retina completes the development of its normal layers this week—all the better to see you with. Well not you, per se, because her eyes are still sealed shut and it's really dark in there, but your baby's eyes are now fully developed. Brainwaves for the auditory and visual systems are detectable in baby's noggin this week. That means baby's brain is registering things like sound and light. She can't understand what any of it means yet, but she's on track to comprehend an entire episode of Blue's Clues in no time!

As hearing continues to develop, your baby will start to recognize your voice. One hint that your karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the best would be when the baby starts banging on your gut. Your bambino will also start to recognize your partner's voice. He may feel silly talking to your stomach, but assure him that somebody other than you is definitely listening. Research has shown that newborns actually recognize familiar sounds after birth. Proof that your baby has been paying attention all along.

Break out the sparkling apple juice—baby has now completed two-thirds of her stay in Hotel Womb. Your baby is about 1 2/3 pounds and is 14 inches long head-to-heel, or about the length of a burp cloth (otherwise known as your primary wardrobe accessory for the next several months). Your LifeNot that you'll need it (knock wood), but getting certified in infant/child first aid and CPR is a smart thing to do. Find a class from your local chapter of the Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Your fire station or hospital should also be able to provide information. Don't stop there: Ask your partner—and anybody else who will be spending time with your baby—to attend as well.

Speaking of mouth-to-mouth, why not plan one last solo getaway with your partner before your twosome becomes a threesome (and we're not talking about a kinky threesome, we mean the baby. Get your mind out of the gutter). Do it now while you're still able to travel, and pull out all the romantic stops.

25 Weeks and counting!!!!

Your Pregnancy: Week 25

At this point you're pretty much swollen all over. What started as just a "boob thing" seems to have spread from there, down your torso and out your limbs. This is definitely contagious. But even if sausage fingers and toes aren't your idea of womanly, remember that you are indeed a reproductive goddess. (You could try asking your friends to bow before you as you enter the room, but you'll probably have to settle for peeling your own grapes.)Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"Why don't my shoes fit anymore? Am I pregnant in my feet, too?" Your BodyPregnancy leg cramps are not your ordinary run-of-the-mill leg cramps. Nope, a pregnancy leg cramp will often have you leaping out of bed screaming at the top of your lungs.

Leg cramps can be caused by a calcium deficiency, so be sure to get enough calcium. Even if you're lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies, there are still ways to get enough calcium in your diet that don't involve eating a 2-gallon drum of ice cream (although that does sound fun). Believe it or not, there's calcium in almonds, fish, broccoli and tofu. While they come with the territory of pregnancy, there are ways to avoid leg cramps, like warm soaks and massages.

Sometime between Weeks 24 and 28, you'll get your glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes. You'll have to drink this really syrupy, sugary soda drink, wait an hour, and then have your blood sugar levels tested to see how your body handles the sugar rush. If you get to do it at home, put the drink in the fridge to get it nice and cold. It's much easier to stomach when it's chilled. Some OBs may even let you skip the sugary soda in lieu of something just as sweet, like pancakes smothered in syrup. Hey, it's worth asking!

Your Baby

Get ready for pat-a-cake! Baby's hands are now fully developed and he spends most of his awake time groping around in the darkness of your uterus. Brain and nerve endings are developed enough now so that your baby can feel the sensation of touch. That doesn't mean he can feel it when his father pokes your stomach, however, so tell him to knock it off.
Other highlights include:Your baby's arms and legs have grown to almost the proportions they will be at birth, which is still sort of short. So don't be alarmed when your newborn's arms barely clear his waist. Baby's nostrils, which have been plugged up until now, clear out (like he's taken a super-dose of Sudafed) and he can practice breathing through the nose. The structures of your baby's spine are now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings and some 1,000 ligaments. Can you believe you're growing something that complicated inside of you?
The capillaries, the teeniest blood vessels, are now forming in your baby's body, giving his formerly translucent skin a pink glow. The blood vessels in the lungs also develop this week. You'll see how well that worked out when your baby gives those lungs a workout while you're on line at the bank in a few months. Your baby weighs about a pound and a half and is about 13½ inches long—roughly the length of one of those recorders you played in elementary school music class. Who's up for a round of "Hot Cross Buns?"

From the Mommy...
So tired
We had another really long weekend and baby WAS tired yesterday! Not any more!
We had house guests...workers...bums...Mt. Dew addicts in our house again ALL weekend. I really appreciate all the help but I want my house back! People sleeping on my couch's is just getting old. Plus I get nothing done because if I clean it, it gets dirty RIGHT away! So my house is a disaster and I just get to sit and look at it...depressing.
I had an awesome time with MY mommy on Saturday. We went fabric shopping for the baby room! AWESOME! Thanks Mom! We also went out to lunch at Becks...great, now I'm craving a burger on top of the mac and cheese I was already craving for breakfast...
Anyway, we picked out some really great fabric (well...mom did and I "approved" it) We had fun at Hobby Lobby planning out lots of other things too! It was just a good day! Thank you Mom!
After we got home Mikey grilled and I stayed up REALLY late! I was just happy to be awake after 10!
Mike got what he considers his "last toy" that he will get since were having baby! This dream 15 inch sub...as in woofer...I don't know what brand it is...is 3000 watts...or something crazy like that. So one of the major work days was spent building his box and hooking it up and blowing fuses etc!

24 Weeks!

Your Pregnancy:

Week 24At about this time the reality of having a baby is definitely setting in (maybe it's the fact that you can't see your toes). Be sure to talk about how you're feeling with your significant other, girlfriends, siblings, parents, doctor, hairdresser, the person sitting next to you on the bus ... whomever! It's totally natural to be freaking out. Voicing your concerns about mommyhood will help you actually get used to the idea.Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking:

"OK, seriously, where are my toes?"

Your Body

Hair growth during pregnancy is another one of those wacky symptoms you didn't expect. And though you may be wondering who's slipping Rogaine into your shampoo bottle, if you're among the lucky ones, you're relishing your new, flowing locks. It's the hair everywhere else that's a little troublesome.You can thank your pregnancy hormones for your suddenly thick crowning glory. During pregnancy your hair's natural grow-shed cycle slows, leaving you with more hairs on your head at any given time. Now might be a good time to try out for one of those orgasm-in-the-shower shampoo commercials. Unfortunately, all that hair growth isn't limited to your head. You may start to notice a random hair (or 47) anywhere from your cheeks, back, and belly to your upper lip and chin. If anyone dares to call you Black Beard, they'll totally deserve whatever's coming to them. The good news is, tweezing, waxing and electrolysis are all generally accepted as safe during pregnancy. The bad news? All of them can hurt like, um ... like waxing. So feel free to skip the Brazilian right now. We promise, your OB isn't going to judge you.

Your Baby

Your baby isn't just sitting around (on your bladder) doing nothing, he's working hard preparing for life outside the womb—perfecting his lungs and packing on the pounds. He'll gain ½ pound this week alone.
Other highlights this week:Things are starting to get a little crowded inside the old womb as baby grows bigger and bigger. Your ribs are probably pining away for the good old days when they didn't have a foot permanently lodged between them. Hate to break it to you, but it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Your baby's ears are fully functional now. And since they are, you may notice that loud noises and sudden movements can startle the little bugger. He's getting used to the everyday sounds inside the womb: the sound of your heart beating, your lungs inhaling and exhaling air, the growling of your stomach because your partner promised he'd be right back with that double cheeseburger and he's taking forever! He'll even be able to hear your voice when your partner finally arrives and you ask him where the bleep he's been! So talk nice!
Baby's got a fully developed inner ear now. This means his sense of balance is working and he can tell whether he's hanging upside down or right side up. He can also feel you moving, so go ahead, pop in your favorite tunes and boogie.

Your little Wiener schnitzel is about the length of a foot-long Chicago hot dog and weighs about 1 1/3 pounds.

Your Life
It's time to find and sign up for a child-birthing class. You'll discover the wonders of labor, C-sections, cradle cap, breastfeeding, umbilical care, and all sorts of breathing and pushing techniques. (It's a good thing that your bio and sex-ed classes didn't go into this much detail, or you might never have gotten pregnant in the first place.) Basically, you find out the answers to all your questions and more (yeah, there are some you might not have wanted to know about just yet).Check with your OB and the hospital you've chosen—they usually have classes on a regular basis. Just be sure the teacher is certified by the International Childbirth Education Association—an organization that makes sure the instructors know what they're doing.Having trouble tracking down a class? Search ParentsConnect Local to find out where there's a child-birth class near you. There are bound to be some other inquisitive pregnant chicks in your area.

You're always saying you never have time to read. But if you wait until you have a baby, the only reading you'll be doing will be about how to get the little cherub to sleep. So on those nights when you can't be bothered to go out, curl up (OK, make like a beached whale and lie down) and read a frothy, fun book.

From the Mind of the Mommy...the beginning to get very stressed out mommy...

Ok well I am feeling mighty fine! Baby is GREAT! He can't seem to settle down today and that's ok with me for now, it doesn't hurt when he moves yet :). He put on a good show for Mike last night and that was fun!
We had a houseful this weekend! Tony, Jay, Kevin, and Manami on Friday night and add Lil Michael in to the mix on Saturday and Sunday! HOUSEFULL! The crummy part was that I was trying to get sleep! I agreed to help Cassy on Saturday morning, she needed and ER babysitter at 5 am, so I was there. The girls were perfect little angels and we had a really good time! Cassy came home and Corina turned into a monster! I felt lucky I had her for the early part of the day. After I was done babysitting I ran home and got Mike up and myself ready for the day. Cassy and I went to Target to register for baby gifts! What a big job that was! Then we went to Lowes to get some emergency supplies for the guys and a supposed part of the dishwasher. Well the guy that was "helping" me get the dishwasher part apparently thought that all women are idiots and couldn't stop rolling his eyes at me. Needless to say, I had a lovely complaint! Well turns out he was the idiot and gave me the wrong part. So still no dishwasher...I think I'm going to scream! I WANT MY DISHWASHER :( ``` (tears) After that Cassy and I picked up the girls from their Grandma's and went out to eat at Applebee's...yay! It was so good! We had to deal with 2 tired little girls (3 if you count me). After dinner we headed home. I walked into a housefull...how relaxing...not! I was so thankful that they were all there I didn't care and fed everyone!
The boys really got a lot accomplished this weekend (besides blowing things up in the garage)! Mike is out now getting the rest of the insulation and some of the other supplies. Yay! They got all the wiring ran and I will have at least 8 outlets in my room, oh happy day! Now, I just have to design the inside of the closet so they can build me some shelves!
Needless to say Mike didn't sit down until about 9 last night. He did have a blast with his friends if I do say so myself! :) Thanks Guys! See you this weekend :)
What are you hungry for?

23-24 Week picture!

Ok there is no denying this! I am having a baby! As if I couldn't feel him

moving around all day! He's very active and that keeps me reassured that everything is ok!

I am getting excited!

This weekend Tony and Jay are coming back over to keep working on the room upstairs so we will be another step closer to moving us upstairs! I am so excited to get

painting! We get to paint our room, baby's room, and the bathroom!

REDECORATING FRENZY!

Wish me luck with these boys...again!

PICTURES!!!!

This is me excidily waiting for the ultra sound!!!
Mike, Laura and Mom...waiting...

It's A Boy!

Yeah Mike looks so enthused...no really, he was!! :)

Hannah says..."My future's so bright, I have ta wear shades!"

The view from our Hotel in Hinkley, MN

Hayley is a pretty pretty princess!

Mike with his first glass of home made beer...I even tasted it...mmm good!

Me baking away on Satrday!

Filling our our little man's baby book!

Introuducing...Baby Boy Lofstuen!

And I'm not due until June? 20th????

FRG! Putting together care packages!

23 Weeks and Counting!!!

23 Weeks Pregnant



Your Pregnancy: Week 23


You've got this pregnancy thing down pat now: You feel good, you look great, you're eating well and drinking enough water. Everything is fabulous. It's like your birthday every day the way people fawn all over you, giving up their place in the bathroom line and so on. OK, so maybe that doesn't happen every day, but being pregnant makes you feel pretty special, even if that jerk on the bus didn't give up his seat for you. Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...





What You're Thinking:
"You don't have to tell me I look like a yummy mummy in this empire waist dress. I already know it."


Your Body Fact:


You are carrying around several extra pounds of weight located not only in your belly but in your bra as well. Who's baring the brunt of all this poundage? Mr. Shoulders and Mr. Back. Don't suffer in silence. Get sweet relief: Even in early pregnancy, back pain can be a real bother, and when you get to the halfway point, forget about it! Try lying on a cool ice pack to relieve some of the strain. Some alternative approaches like acupuncture and massage can ease the pain. And if not, having someone rub you for an hour still feels pretty darn good. If you're noticing severe pain, numbing or tingling in your lower back and hips, you might have sciatica. Check in with your doctor.





Your Baby


Your baby's got a while to go before her lungs will be ready for air and is practicing her "breathing" on the amniotic fluid—sucking it in and out of her lungs. Other highlights this week: Fat production is in overdrive at this point (for the baby, not you! Well, OK, maybe for the baby and you). Your baby will basically double in weight over the next four weeks! You'll be happy to know the same won't apply to you.


Your Mini is starting to look more like a newborn as his skin becomes less see-through. His body is looking more proportional now, although his head is still kinda big compared to his cute little body. Your baby is about 11½ inches long and weighs 1 pound, or about the length and weight of a Harry Potter book.





Your Life


You and your partner's sleep-ins until noon will be but a distant memory once your new alarm clock arrives. And while getting him to sleep through the night will be a ways off, you can con him into doing a lengthy stretch by making his bed the most comfortable spot possible.


Your options are plenty: crib, bassinet, cradle, portable playpen, your bed, laundry basket (we're kidding about that last one). As you shop, do your research on the pros and cons different types of nursery furniture and bedding to see what will work best for your own crib (AKA your home) and lifestyle.


If you're willing to do the extra legwork and safety research, you can save money by shopping secondhand stores. Just make sure any gear you buy meets current safety standards and has all the necessary parts. And speaking of sleep: Make a snooze date with your partner. Turn off all the phones, clear your schedule and take a nap in the middle of the afternoon or sleep in extra late on the weekend. Have breakfast in bed while you're at it. In 17 weeks you'll wish you'd spent the whole day in bed!





From the Mind of our little boy's Mommy-


Well another week has passed (flew!!!) Friday night Mike and I went up to the bar to visit Melissa (bartender) and try and catch up with some long lost Readlyners! We had a lot of fun and stayed way way to late! This weekend we actually got something accomplished too! I am so proud of us! Mike, Tony, and Jay got busy working on gutting the upstairs! Looks like they worked pretty hard! They worked for about 7 hours Saturday. I also worked very hard on Saturday slaving away over the oven baking about 20 dozen cookies for the troops! I made Chocolate butterscotch, Snicker doodles, and Oatmeal Raisin! I think I only ate one the day I made them...I was sick of cookies! :) Then I got to sit around and relax watching a movie. It was a good day.:)

22 Weeks! And much much more!

Your Pregnancy: Week 22
If your list of baby things to do seems to be getting longer the bigger you get, don't stress out. Make a pact with your partner that one day or evening a week, you'll do something that has nothing to do with the baby. How about the latest Anne Hathaway flick and dinner?Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ...

What You're Thinking

"Wait, so when I have a baby, it's not a temporary thing? It's forever?

Your Body

Sadly enough, eating for two doesn't mean loading up on milkshakes and hamburgers and doubling your caloric intake. Instead, an average pregnant woman needs about 300 extra calories each day, which can be as little as a handful of trail mix or a small smoothie. If you're craving a little ice cream, go ahead and indulge, but if you need it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, try to find a healthy substitute like sugar-free soft serve or fro yo. Sometimes it's easier on pregnant stomachs to eat five or six small meals each day than three large meals. Make sure to keep a stockpile of pregnancy-friendly snacks like crackers and cheese, pudding or a breakfast bar, so that you'll have something to gnaw on throughout the day. Don't let your hungry coworkers (or your partner) know where you keep your stash.

Your Baby

Your Mini's hands have grown bigger and stronger and the nerve endings in her fingers have developed her sense of touch. She's in there testing out her newfound abilities by touching her face and grabbing the umbilical cord.
Other cool developments:
You're already raising a little Einstein. Your baby's brain is developing at a clip this week and will continue to do so until she's five years old (so load up on the Omega 3)!
Baby's hair is now a short, bright white crop (Billy Idol, eat your heart out!). No matter what color it will end up—red, blonde, black—all babies' hair lacks pigment at this point.
Your baby has started growing taste buds and may be able to detect strong flavors in the amniotic fluid. If you could see inside, you might catch her sticking out her tongue for a taste and then grimacing, a sign that perhaps you should chill on the chili powder.

Your baby now weighs almost a pound and measures almost 11 inches, head to heel, which is how you'll be measuring the Stretch Armstrong in your uterus from here on out. That's about as long as a package of Oreos and as heavy as a large bag of tortilla chips. Who's hungry?

Your Life

For the first year of your baby's life, your pediatrician will be a serious VIP, so do some research before you make your decision. Try talking to your OB and your family practitioner. They have great professional contacts and know the right ped for you. Pump your friends, birthing classmates and relatives for information as well. Once you have a list of potential candidates, carefully and completely interview each one. Even if you've been putting everything else off, make this one a priority. You may have missed the boat on ordering nursery furniture, but this is one thing you need to be on the ball about. While you're not putting things off, now might be a good time to start thinking about comfort items for your hospital bag. Better yet, use it as an excuse to buy a new bag.

From the Mind of Baby Lofstuen's mommy...We are having trouble picking baby names! In a way we would really like to stick with a family name like Michael or David. In another way we want to try something new. I don't want to offend anyone if we don't pick their name or if we use it as the middle and not the first...including my husband!
We had a good weekend in Minnesota! First we went up north to Hinkley and stayed at the Casino over night. We had a good time eating, swimming, and gambling! Friday we hung around and ate lunch at the casino and played a little more then headed to St Louis Park to go to the "beer store" or Midwest Brewing Co. Mike has really gotten into brewing his own beer! The first batch was successful and I tasted it...yum! He loaded up on all the cool tools and another kit. We spent a lot of time there. While we were there I experienced some Braxton Hicks contractions. I called my mom to make sure that's what I was feeling. Lucky for me they didn't hurt at all just a lot of pressure and skin stretching! After we were done there we went to Dave and Elaine's for dinner and to stay the night! We had a nice dinner with Dave, Elaine, Hayley, and Hannah! We had pizza and Hannah LOVES pizza. :) It was awesome! After dinner the girls, Elaine, and I all painted and colored. Then it was bed time!
Saturday I got up just in time for smiley face pancakes! Again, AWESOME! Then we played and played until the girls just had to have me wake up Mikey! Kids love him. So Mikey got up and the girls jumped all over him until he went back and hid in the basement. Well the girls knew right where to find him! That afternoon Sara, Tim, The Girls, Mike, and I all went to the Mall of America! Big Mistake but I was on a mission to find some maternity jeans! It was the busiest any of us had ever seen the mall. We were finally able to park even if we lost each other! We ended up having a lot of fun and yay, I found some jeans! After the mall we headed to Sara & Tim's so the boys could play video games! We all ate pizza and I had fun going through Sara's baby name book! What do you think of Ebenezer? :)
Sunday came too too soon. Mike and I got up just a little to late and missed saying THANK YOU to Dave and Elaine :(. We got up and got movin'! We got to Ikea just before 11 and hit the jack pot! FREE BREAKFAST! It was the best way to start our day! It just topped off the awesome donuts we got from Dave and Elaine! THANK YOU! We had a very productive and not to expensive trip through Ikea. We found both Crib and Changing table. We scoped out a lot of other furniture for us as well. It was exciting! So Minnesota family, expect us back at least one more time before June! We got outta town by 12:30. We would have been home early but stopped at Cabelas for 1 1/2 hours! So we finally got to Jeni's to pick up the dogs about 5:45. They were so happy to see us! I think Molly almost had a heart attack! Nut tried to lick my face off! It was a very happy welcome home. After Mike and I finally got back to our house and unpacked, Mike decided to brew another batch of beer and I for some reason deep cleaned my bathroom. I did sit down and watch Alvin and the Chipmunks! GOOD MOVIE!
Last night Mike and I went out for a group Valentines day dinner with Cassy, Adam, and their girls! We went to Los Flores...yum! We came home and Adam and Corina came to our house for a while. I went to bed early because I was just so tired. Mike got sick in the night and we are still trying to determine if it was from the food or just a bug. The rest of us are ok so I think it's a bug. I don't know if we will ever get to go back to Los Flores again :(. He's at work and functioning today so I think he must be ok.
Wow that was long and probably boring! I love you all!
Oh! I almost forgot! Mikey felt his little Dude move yesterday for the first time! It was very exciting! :) Our kid is just growing so fast! June's coming way to fast for me! Way to much to do! AHHHHHH! HELP!

Your Pregnancy: Week 21
Twenty-one is a magic number. It means independence. It means you just won a hand of blackjack. In pregnancy terms, it means you have gotten over the hump and you only have 19 weeks left!Wondering what's up with your body, your baby and your life this week? Read on ..

Your BabyChances are good you're feeling someone performing a round-off back handspring in your uterus by now. Is there any other feeling this cool?
Other highlights this week:By now your baby looks like a mini-version of what he'll look like when he's born. All his facial features are formed and hair is growing on his head. he's even acting like a baby and will occasionally suck his thumb or yawn. Aww ...Baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and can be heard using a good old-fashioned stethoscope. Ask for a listen at your next prenatal visit!
By 21 weeks, fetal bone marrow starts making blood cells—previously done by the liver and spleen. This may not sound that exciting, but it's good news.
The amniotic fluid that has been cushioning your little bean now serves another purpose: Your baby uses it to "practice" chowing down. Yes, it sounds gross (as many aspects of pregnancy do), but it's an important step for your baby toward being able to chow down in the real world. Your baby has been swallowing amniotic fluid for a while now, but now the intestines are finally developed enough that he's absorbing small amounts of sugars from it. And let's face it, being able to effectively digest sugar is important at every stage of life.
Your baby now weighs between 10 and 11 ounces and is approximately 7 inches long—the size of a delicious, cold, frothy bottle of root beer. Float anyone?
Your Life Someday, your grown-up baby may laugh at how you decorated his nursery. But that's 20 years from now, so impose your decorating tastes on your Mini while you can. Suggestions on making his palace fabulous include:Frame pictures from a favorite artistic gift wrap, children's book or wall calendar (skip your husband's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition).Hang a colorful tapestry, quilt, scarf or rug from a curtain rod mounted onto the wall. Not entirely unlike your college dorm. Ask an artistic relative to draw something special that you can frame. But if you ask, you're going to have to hang whatever they make, so ask wisely. Creatively challenged? Leave the designing to the pros by buying wall decals or borders, or by stenciling a funny or inspirational quote on the walls.While you're decorating stuff, why not decorate yourself? Now's a great time to paint your toenails (while you can still reach them) or schedule a manicure and hand massage.

From Baby Boy Lofstuen: Hello Future Family! I have been keeping Mommy very busy! She is tired all the time and hungrier than ever! I have also decided that I am a pretty good swimmer. When I grow up I want to be just like Michael Phelps! Ok, so not exactly like him...
Anyway we are staying healthy again and preparing for our first long car ride! My plan is to roll on Mommy's bladder at least every 30 miles or so. So wish me luck and I can't wait to meet all of you!
Baby BOY Lofstuen!