Sleepy Puppy

Poor Harlan came home from doggy daycare VERY tired today.  He promptly folded himself in half and fell asleep on the couch.

Ben practicing his dissertation proposal presentation (which he gives tomorrow).  He is not nearly confused about it as he looks in this picture :)

The Bravest Dog in the World

My boss left balloons and a rubber ducky on my desk this morning.  When I brought them home, we realized that Harlan was absolutely terrified of the balloons.  Unfortunately I didn't start filming anything until after he had finished howling from on top of the couch in the corner like a crazy wolf.  That was priceless.  But these shots highlight what an enormous sissy he is.  Our huge, scary looking dog is as brave as a baby deer.

We've got pictures :)

We had our first unscheduled ultrasound yesterday after a brief scare (everything was fine) and saw the picture below and heard our baby's heart beat. 

First ultrasound picture: August 27th (Happy birthday Aaron!)

Then today we went back for the 'fancy' ultrasound.  This was great, we were able to see a lot more detail and the ultrasonographer pointed out the bladder, diaphragm, feet, stomach (all looked like blurry blobs to Ben and I, but I suppose we'll trust her :)  The baby's heart is beating 163 beats per minute (healthy for a baby, not so much for a grown-up).

When she pushed down on my stomach with the ultrasound, the baby would squirm and punch at it.  Very feisty.  She/he was kicking their little legs and kept bring their hand to their mouth (it is possible it's already sucking a thumb).  

The other thing we learned is that we are 2 weeks farther along than we thought, so I am almost 14 weeks, with a new due date of March 1.  This puts the baby at the size of a lemon. 

Pictures below :) 

 (We think those little dots are toes...)

And a picture of our other 'baby'.  Harlan isn't going to know what hit him.

Remembering Britches

Yeah yeah yeah, I know the title makes it sound like Britches is in kitty heaven, but he is still alive and kicking.  He just lives with Debby (coworker) and her husband Marty a few blocks away.  While the first day was very hard for me, with lots of intermittent crying and moments of despair, it is getting a little better every day.  Debby has been updating me and it sounds like he is really settling in well in his new home.  He even jumped in the tub after her morning shower to play in the drain.  But our house does feel a little emptier now that we are down one pet, so, here are all the best pictures of my fluffy little fat pants.  

Addendum!

My weekend project!!  You'll notice that the booties are not the same size, and a little crookedy, but for someone who does not follow instructions and when it comes to art projects never stays in the lines or does anything straight or even, I think they turned out alright for my first stab at it :)

Mmm, happy lunch break.  I just came back from letting Harlan out (who although started destroying his bed last Friday, is back to roaming the kitchen...) and had this delightfully cheesy, avocado-y, nectariney patio lunch. 

11 Weeks

Today we received all of our '11 weeks' updates, so here you go!

What is happening with the baby?
The baby is now the size of a plum, 2 1/2 inches long (with its head making up half of his/her entire length).  The fingers and toes have separated, and the baby is opening and closing their hands into fists.  Tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums.  Also adorable this week, the baby might be hiccuping as its diaphragm is forming.

Have a great Monday everyone!

Giant Things

Giant Whiskers

Giant Dog

Giant Dog in our not giant enough bed

You can see how it gets a little crowded when Harlan snuggles with us.  Ben usually ends up half way on the floor.

We're All Growing!

Today was the first day that my jeans were a little tight, so I'm wearing my awesome Bella Band (picture below) which means I don't have to button my jeans.  While this is definitely marketed as a pregnancy accessory, I highly recommend them for everyone to use after major holidays, especially Thanksgiving :)  I wouldn't say I have a bump as much as a belly from all of the extra eating I've been doing, but the baby is going to double in size/length over the next 3 weeks, so the bump is not far away.

But I'm not the only one growing!  Harlan, who is now 95 pounds, spent the ENTIRE day yesterday outside of his kennel without destroying anything!  We have him out again today, although are unsure about how he will do as he was in a bizarre mood this morning-- wouldn't get off our bed, was afraid of the kitchen, and went on a hunger strike refusing to eat his breakfast for about an hour.  Fingers crossed that when I go home to check on him at noon, everything is still in one piece.

10 weeks!

I am 9 weeks and 6 days pregnant (I know I keep jumping the gun a little on the weekly updates), but we just got our newest 'What's Happening' update for this exact day and I thought I'd post it now :)

What is happening with your baby?
This is the beginning of the fetal period when your baby's organs continue   to grow and mature. The majority of his/her vital organs, kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs are functioning, but will continue to mature throughout the remainder of your pregnancy.

Fingernails, toenails, and peach fuzz hair will begin to become visible this week. The baby is actively kicking his/her legs.

How big is your baby?
Your baby is a little over 2 inches long, about the size of a lime, and weighs about a quarter of an ounce.

Two weeks from tomorrow we have the ultrasound, so we are just counting down to that day right now. 

We spent this past weekend in Mankato, and had a lovely time relaxing and watching the dogs romp.  Ben and dad did some home improvement projects while Joleen and I ran errands to prepare for the upcoming wedding.  Harlan and Layla definitely wore each other out, but were slightly more subdued this time than in past visits.  Har slept the entire way home, and after he got a bath, we weighed him and he currently weighs 95 pounds (and is still growing).  



Harlan on the way to Mankato (excited to see his puppy friend)

 Harlan on the way back to Iowa City (sleepy pup pup)

9 weeks!

We are 9 weeks in!  The baby is about the size a grape and is over 1 1/2 inches long.  All of the baby's joints are working (wrists, knees, elbows) and it is moving around freely.  Baby can also make a fist, and may already be sucking his/her thumb (crazy!).

Also in our world:

Ben has been working like crazy, but Harlan is keeping him company.  We took Har to the dog park last night and he made it about 10 minutes before he was ready to pass out.  We didn't even have to encourage him to mellow out, he reached his limit and trotted over to the gate signaling that he was ready to leave and get back to his A/C and cool water.

Mallory has graciously offered to adopt Britches.  We are planning on driving down in a couple of weeks to hand off the kitty for a trial run to make sure Josiah isn't allergic.  

 

In the Loop

On Friday we had our first appointment with Dr. Jennifer Niebyl, a high risk obstetrician at the University of Iowa.  She went to medical school at Yale, did her specialty training at Johns Hopkins, and is the head of the Department of Obstetrics; so I certainly feel like I'm in the best hands possible.  Our appointment was over 2 hours long, with an hour consultation with a nurse and then an hour with the doctor.  Dr. Niebyl was able to answer a lot of our questions (e.g. I can get my cavities filled on Monday and I do not need to drink more than 3 liters of water a day... thank god).  She tried to hear a heartbeat with the doppler stethoscope, but we were only at 8 weeks and typically the baby's heartbeat can't be picked up until 11 weeks.  However after the exam, the doctor said I am definitely pregnant and that everything looks good.  We go back to the doctor on the 28th of August and will be doing a full ultrasound then.

So in 3 weeks we will definitely see the baby and hear/see the heart beating!  

Baby Updates

Due Date: March 14th, 2013 (Jim, I will try my best go past due-- my sister did!-- so that you can share a birthday with the raspberry)

Size today: large raspberry

Development changes: fingers and toes, movement, eyelids and ears formed