Countdown! 5 days!

Five days til his due date!

Here is our countdown of 5 things we can't wait to do with Colby!

5. See how much he weighs and how long he is

4. Nurse him (Bre not Matt)

3. See whose little nose, lips, hair he has!

2. Introduce him to the family and Humphrey and Mocha!

1. Hold him and Kiss him finally!!!

-Bre and Matt

Guess the WEIGHT-and-DATE for Baby Bogert's arrival!!

First of all, Happy New Year! Happy 2011! This is going to be a GREAT year!

**It's time now for the Guess-the-weight-and-date game!! It's not so much a game as just something fun to bide the time until Colby decides to enter our lives! **

(thanks to mommynature for the image)

Here are some facts before you guess:

1) Statistics show that first babies are born on or after the due date, especially boys, who like to "hang out" a little longer

2) Having said that, there has always been a discrepancy in our due date. Jan. 12th seems the most accurate and was the due date for quite a while, yet Jan. 20th has remained the official one (according to medical records) (and due dates are rarely changed in late pregnancy even if they should be).

3) At birth, Matt was 11 lbs 1oz. (but he was 5 weeks past the due date). Statistically, had be been born on his due date, he would have been 9-9.5 lbs.

4) At birth (and around due date) - Bre was 7lbs.8oz. (average size for babies)

5) At our last ultrasound (36 weeks) - Colby was measuring 7lbs4oz (+/- 1lb for error). (I am 37/38 weeks now).

6) Babies gain 8oz (1/2 lb) a week from now until delivery. Some babies more.

7) Average weight for baby boys in the U.S. in the 2000's is: 7.5lbs (7lbs.8oz)


So---now that 2011 has arrived and there are 19 days left until Colby's OFFICIAL due date, let the guessing begin!

Just click on " # comments" below and add your guess! We can't wait to see what everyone guesses! Guess the weight and date! (Guess a time range if you want to, or don't if you don't!)

 

Example guess:

January 2nd, 8lbs10oz., (5:00-10:00 a.m[optional])

So...click below on "comments" and add your name and let the guessing begin!!!

-Bre and Matt

36 week ultrasound - he is growing great!! & Christmas 2010!

Well, we had our 36-week ultrasound on the 23rd! Our doctor wanted to do one to see about the 2-week due date discrepancy (I am always measuring about 2 weeks ahead and so is baby, which would make sense since our original due date was Jan. 12th instead of the 20th). And, she wanted to make sure he was head down, not breach.

Results - He is definitely head down, has been for one month about. His big honkin' feet are definitely in my ribs :). He is all cramped into a cute little ball and DEFINITELY running out of room. It is amazing what they can measure in these ultrasounds!

His head circumference is measuring at 13 inches. (Average at birth is 13-15 inches). His femur bone (how they measure length) is measuring in the 95th%. His weight (+/- 1 lb in either direction) is measuring at 7lb 4 oz right now (average at 36 weeks is 6lbs). Since babies gain 1/2lb a week from now until delivery, if the weight is accurate, we would be expecting a 9-9.5pounder (if he does 4 more weeks). But taking all these measurements into consideration, the calculations show the doctors that he is for sure measuring at 38 weeks  instead of 36 (hence 2 weeks ahead). So...who knows, he may be coming earlier (as we expected!).

He is doing well, moving around a lot, wiggling in the belly in whatever way he can right now!! Here is a cute picture of the ultrasound of his cute little nose and lips!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

We had a wonderful Christmas, just Matt and I and the dogs, it was so nice. We relaxed, cooked our traditional Capn' crunch french toast (on my new griddle - thanks honey!) and opened gifts shortly. Now the Ham and Turkey is in the oven and we're just relaxing with the pups...expecting a little snowfall tonight/tomorrow!! Let it snow!

Here are some cute pictures we took last night before we headed to Christmas Eve service! Enjoy!!

Humphrey loves my belly (he has just NOW figured out that I am pregnant)
Also - his new sweatshirt (a 2t sweatshirt fro 3.00 from the store, he shivers outside!)

26 days til the due date

So precious.

Colby was kicking him too. haha.

Again, Humphrey on the belly.

Humphrey, his sweatshirt, resting on daddy.

Mocha thinking..."When is Colby going to be here??!"



MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

-Bre and Matt



Count down to Baby Bogert!

Well hello everbody this is Matt.  I hope that everyone has enjoyed their Thanksgiving week.  I know it's been a while since I have been on here, but everything is going great.  Only 50 days left till our little bundle of joy arrives!!  These past 8 months have gone by so fast, but we have gotten a lot accomplished.  The babies room is all set up and ready for him.  We almost have everything that we need, and hopefully will be getting the rest of the things we need this coming weekend at our baby shower.  It will also be great to see all of our family and friends.  It's great that everybody we know and love wants to help get us ready to bring a new life into this world.  I'm so happy and excited, and can't wait until he gets here.  January 20 can't get here soon enough for me, and I'm pretty sure that Bre feels the same way.  Well I know it's short, but I will talk to you all again soon.

30 weeks! 10 weeks to go...

Hi everyone! I can't believe that we are 10 weeks away (roughly) from meeting our son! I rememher how quickly the first 10 weeks flew by, I can only imagine how fast these last ones will go, especially with My birthday (Nov 16!) Thanksgiving, Our baby shower, Christmas, and New Years coming up, this season will fly by!

Hmmm...things to update.

1. No gestational diabetes. Had my glucose tolerance test at 27 weeks, numbers were fine, no gestational diabetes (that drink was disgusting, reminded me of 30 melted orange frozen push pops...you know, the ones you eat in summer in those plastic tubes?) Ick. Glad I'm past that!

2. Baby boy is still measuring about 8-10 days big for the due date. Official due date is still January 20, 2011, but every ultrasound besides the first has said January 12, 2011, but the doctor can't change it unless there is a difference of +/- 10 days, so it has to stay the 20th. She has told us numerous times that obviously the baby will come when he is ready, but for us to mentally prepare for the 12th or around there.

3. At the last appt., he was measuring over the 99th percentile for length (our doctor and the nurses love when we come in b/c they love measuring his leg bone and giggling about how tall he is). He is still measuring in the 94th percentile for weight, so basically, a big, long baby.

4. We got to tour the maternity ward of the hospital where we will deliver in January last weekend! It was an exciting/overwhelming tour...just realizing it was so close and that WE would be there soon enough and also reliving one of my nephew's births that I got to be there for made me a little weak in the knees! No fainting, just overwhelming with emotion and anticipation I guess. Mix in pregnancy hormones and there you go!

Funny story...At our last appointment about 3 weeks ago, our doctor measured my belly (she calls the baby the 12-pounder because Matt was so large at birth)...and then she was trying to get his heart rate. She had the hb monitor on the right side of my belly (because she felt his little feet on that side) and said "he's hiding from us" and I said..."try measuring on the left side, all the way over here. She said "No, he wouldn't be that big yet, usually the side the feet are, they are at this stage". She moved the monitor to that side and sure enough, there it was :) She was just amazed at how long his legs and body must be to take up my entire belly like that already. Our little (big) boy. :)

I feel his kicks, flips, turns, jabs, hiccups all the time. Matt loves watching my belly move and also feel it all the time. Colby seems to kick a ton, then as soon as matt comes over and puts his hand on my belly, he stops! Matt always says "hey little bugger, stop that!" and he will kick. If Matt or I, usually, tap my belly with my finger hard, he will kick back when he's awake and responding. Almost every morning at 4:00 am, I wake up to the little one's kicks and turns in my belly. :) I love to just lay there awake with my hand on my side and feel him for a little before I go back to sleep!

I'm feeling great, my carpal tunnel has subsided somewhat, thanks to the braces and probably fluid retention getting less and less (it's supposed to be the opposite but whatever, I will take it!). I'm waddling more and more, but have no problem telling people to pass me when I'm walking too slow--another great thing about the pregnancy is that it's making me very blunt and I have no problem telling people how it is anymore (especially when I'm in DC) :)

Well, those are the updates for now, just enjoying a long weekend here in VA...working on the baby book, some Christmas presents (yes, we are all done shopping and wrapping!)...and spending time with the dogs until Matt gets home from work!

Until next time,

Bre and the belly.

What's in a name?

Well, most of our family and friends know the name we have chosen for our baby boy set to "debut" in January, so we thought we'd formally announce it now, too!

Our little baby boy will be named...

Colby James Bogert

We have been talking to him and calling him that since August when we found out he was a boy! When we say "Colby James" in a funny voice, and he's in one of his "mobile" moods and moving around, he kicks continuously...so cute!

We both loved the name Colby, it is very different, easy to say and spell, and not run-of-the-mill. The middle name James was my late father's first name, and also his dad's name (my grandfather). My sister and brother's boys both have elements of my father's name too (Middle and Last). So now, it will be complete, his whole name between the three boys!

We can't wait until the winter to meet Colby!

Hiccups in my belly? :)

So...now that I can fully feel the little dude in my belly wiggle and flip and kick up a storm, I've noticed these rhythmic twitches every couple of days for about 20 minutes...sure enough, HICCUPS!

Our last ultrasound a week ago, the sonographer was trying to get the baby to sit still to get his heartbeat (145 by the way - perfect!) but he was twitching all around. She turned the screen towards Matt and I and started giggling and said..."Oh he has the hiccups!". It was so cute, seeing him hiccup on the screen. I could feel it and see my belly move every second, so now I'm quite sure what it feels like! We had to wait through his hiccups for about 10 minutes so she could get the heart rate once it stopped...hehe. He's difficult like his mommy.

This morning I was waiting for my alarm to go off for work, and laying still on my side on the bed (Humphrey the dog usually hangs out with me after Matt leaves for work). He had his head resting on my belly while I was trying to muster the energy to get up in the rain...and there he went - Baby boy started to get the hiccups! Humphrey must have felt it because he leapt up off the bed and let out a tiny yelp...saying "Uh..mom what the heck was that that moved?". So cute! Now if only "daddy" could feel them! He's never here when he gets them!

"Umm...what was that that moved?" - Humphrey Bogert

Needless to say, the litte baby in my belly gets these hiccups for about 20 minutes every couple of days, the doctor said he will probably get the hiccups often as a baby, as the pattern usually continues. She also said besides being cute and harmless, it means the baby is learning to swallow the fluid and also it means development is going REALLY well in there!

So amazing :)

24 Weeks (In the 6th month!!)

Hi all! I can't believe I am 24 weeks already! Only roughly 16 weeks remaining! Only a couple more weeks and I am in the 3rd trimester...time really does fly!

This month's appointments went well! Baby boy is measuring long and big for his age (they are not surprised, again, as large babies run in the family genes). The sonographer actually showed off the image of the baby's femur (the leg bone they measure to determine height and weight in ultrasounds) and they all said "wow, we've never seen one this long before!" - but then they all looked over at Matt and said "ohhh that explains it" :) Here is our 24 week update!

How far along: 24 weeks (almost 6 full months)

Symptoms: Heartburn!

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes. In them all the time. They are so comfortable!

Stretch Marks: some above the belly button. Cream can only do so much.

Sleep: Sleeping well, tingly hands all night, but that's part of carpal tunnel!

Best Moment Last Week: Watching Matt's face when he saw the kick for the first time in my belly, and also when he felt it!

Movement: Seems like all the time now. I can feel him flipping around and punching/kicking when he moves! :)

Food Cravings: Milk, still. And broccoli.

What I miss: Being able to walk normally. I definitely started to have to adjust my posture and start the "pregnancy waddle". :)

What am I looking forward to: Heading to NY for our first baby shower (Matt's side of the family) in less than 2 weeks! Looking forward to slowing down a little bit up there, I've been insanely busy! Also, camping this weekend with some good friends and our dogs - it's about 2 miles from our place, I might not handle sleeping on the ground so well at this point, but I can drive home no problem if that becomes a problem :)

Milestones: Feeling movement different than tiny kicks, now full-blown body turning around! Also being able to share that with "daddy".

How is Daddy? :Excited! He has never been so smily after feeling the baby kick for the first time. Excited to go see family soon!

Until next post ---

-Bre

Baby Registry!

We now have finished our baby registry at Babies R Us! We registered for a lot of neutral stuff (for future Bogert babies) but some stuff we went "boy" on. :)

http://www.babiesrus.com

Registry: Under Bre Bogert or Matt Bogert as registrant/co-registrant

or a direct link to our registry

Bogert Baby Registry

21 weeks and Pregnancy Carpal Tunnel

Well, I'm now 21 weeks pregnant! That means only around 19 more to go!! This is flying by! I've had two women ask me if I am carrying twins because my belly is apparently very round, I have assured them there is one (possibly giant) baby in my belly, that is ALL!

Baby is now 1 foot long and weighs around 1-1.5lbs. :)


Matt has painted the baby nursery and put together the new white Ikea dresser that will double as the changing table. It's so nice! I am in the process of painting the drawer pulls :) The walls are a nice navy/cobalt color, the curtains are white (the window is huge), white carpet (not our choice!) and all white furniture. It looks so great! Good Job, Hubby!!


Matt has also been reading to the baby at night - Dr. Seuss books (we only have two so far, Green Eggs and Ham and One fish, two fish...) but he is trying to memorize them before the baby comes. It's such a special and sweet time at night when Matt reads to the little boy in my belly. I can't wait until the actual baby boy is laying with us listening to his daddy read!


As the subject of the post says, Pregnancy Carpal Tunnel - yep looks like I have that. It's been ok so far, I was just waking up at night with sleeping hands, tingling, and having trouble holding things for the first hours of the morning.


I am now to wear the wrist braces at night while sleeping and it should all disappear when the baby is delivered. Since not many people know about this subject (even though these days about 25% of pregnant women get this, and those who work on computers are way more likely to experience it), I decided to post what I read in the "What to Expect When You're Expecting" book and babycenter.com...

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during pregnancy 

"That telltale tingle… Here's why aching hands are common during pregnancy, and what you can do about them."

What it is: Numbness, a "pins-and-needles" sensation, or aching in the hands and wrists, especially noticeable at night. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning, pain, or a dull ache in the fingers, hand, wrist, and even up the arm to the shoulder. In severe chronic cases, your hand may feel clumsy or weak.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy: Pregnancy swelling puts pressure on a key nerve in the wrists and causes the same aching and tingling symptoms most often associated with ergonomic strain and repetitive motion. (Of course, if you're pregnant and having ergonomic strain or doing repetitive motion, you're twice as likely to experience it.)

Symptoms usually affect both hands and can appear at any time, but they're more likely to begin or worsen in the second half of pregnancy when women tend to retain more fluid. The symptoms usually go away gradually after you give birth, as the swelling from pregnancy subsides.

The carpal tunnel is a bony canal formed by the wrist bones on three sides and a ligament that runs across the wrist on the other. The swelling and fluid retention that's so common during pregnancy can increase the pressure in this relatively narrow and inflexible space, compressing the median nerve that runs through it.

The median nerve gives sensation to the thumb and the index, middle, and half of the ring finger and is responsible for movement of a muscle at the base of the thumb. Pressure on this nerve is what causes the symptoms.

What you need to know about tingling hands during pregnancy: If you're feeling these symptoms more at night, it's because the fluids that accumulate in the lower part of your body during the day are redistributed elsewhere, including your hands, when you lie down. (Kind of reverse gravity.) And of course, if you've been at a computer all day long, nighttime leaves your carpal nerve with a double whammy. Luckily, though, this symptom should disappear after delivery as your swelling diminishes.

What to do about tingling hands during pregnancy:

•If you work at a computer, or do any other activity that requires repetitive motion, like playing the piano or filing, take frequent hand-stretching breaks. If typing, type gently, making sure your wrists are straight and your elbows are higher than your hands.

•Try not to sleep on your hands.

•Use a pillow to prop up your arms at night.

•Shake your hands and wrists out frequently. At night, you can hang your hand over the side of the bed and shake it.

•If you're in a lot of pain, try a wrist brace. Ask your practitioner which kind to buy.

So...that is the story with CTS and pregnancy. The wrist braces are a God-send. They have helped me so much by keeping my hands from clenching at night and also from falling asleep. So far, so good!

Oh - this weekend we celebrate our 1st Wedding anniversary! (Our only wedding anniversary we will celebrate without a child! We can't wait to celebrate this weekend.

-Bre and Matt

Weekly-ish updates

I found this from a fellow blogger (several, actually) and think it's a great idea to keep people in the loop as to how "Mom and Dad" are feeling, what's happening with the baby, etc...Here goes!

How far along: 18th week!!

Symptoms: Nothing bad. I'm glad all the main morning sickness is gone, now nausea only happens when I smell oriental food of any kind and public restrooms for some reason. They never bothered me before! And hunger, an intense hunger I've never felt before...when waking up...afternoon...night...hunger! My sister warned me but I didn't think it would be like this! Two breakfasts? Ok! :)


Maternity Clothes: Yes! I got some of my sister's stuff from when she had her son, so that will help in the coming month or so. I have a staple number of "maternity" outfits I mix and match since it's summer, I will get more use out of pants and things once fall finally hits! It seems I definitely "popped" between 16 and 18 weeks. I have a very obvious "baby bump" now! Can't wait for it to get bigger!


Stretch Marks: Nope...I've started using lotion on my belly every day so hopefully that will keep them away, but none as of yet!


Sleep: I sleep pretty well. (Umm with the exception of having to pee about 3-4 times a night, I'm getting pretty good at not waking matt or the dogs) My dreams are vivid (as I've been told happens during pregnancy) and I often wake up wondering if they were real. We gave in and bought me a "boppy" pregnancy pillow to help me sleep on my sides (no sleeping on my back anymore because doc and books say it is a pregnancy "NO NO"..and it's uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach at this time). Sleeping well, not as exhausted when I get up, but insatiably hungry as soon as the alarm goes off!


Best Moment Last Week: Feeling more of the baby movements, and also working with Matt on the "baby bogert Ipod playlist" for when the Belly-sonic speaker set comes soon!) Such a cool gift!

Movement: Yes! Ever since the baby flutters I felt a week ago, it has really been obvious when I feel Baby B wiggling around in there! It seems the little one is active after I eat and also when I lie still in bed at the end of the night! Can't wait for Matt to be able to feel them eventually :)


Food Cravings: Citrus (since day one of the pregnancy), artichokes (I've always loved them but I want them several days a week now), hash browns (yes, they are my guilty pleasure), Root beer floats, anything with tomatoes, and Candy. I never have really cared for candy, but lately I've really wanted a mentos or lollipop every once and a while!


What I miss:  Wine and Turkey Subs. Ever since doc told me no coldcuts, I've wanted a turkey sub with vinegar, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and swiss cheese. Specific enough? Also, living in VA wine country during the summer months seems pretty bad when I can't enjoy a tasting here or there. :) Oh well, in the winter it will be all worth it!

What am I looking forward to: Our next ultrasound...of course!! Our next one is August 25th, I'll be 19 weeks and we are going to see if it's a boy or girl!!! YAY


Milestones: I am worrying less. This trimester really is a fun one. I am growing but not immobile yet. :) Also, we registered at Babies R Us for the baby! We did about 90% of it, mostly neutral so we can use it for future little one (s) and we will finish with gender-specific stuff next week! Also, entering the 5th month of pregnancy! It is flying by!


How is Daddy? Oh my gosh - so excited! He is just as excited as I am and can't wait to know what we are having. He also can't wait to start painting for the baby room and put together some of the furniture we bought! He is having fun talking to the baby every night before we go to bed. He also has daily chats with the dogs about the baby and how they need to behave in January. So cute!

18 weeks! Into "the 5th month" of pregnancy

First of all, Pregnancy is not 9 months, it's closer to ten. I am 18 weeks now (40 weeks is the length of pregnancy) so, almost halfway there!

Second of all, only one week until we have the anatomy ultrasound and HOPEFULLY see if Baby Bogert is a HE or a SHE! This week better fly by, we are on the edge of our seats!

In the 18th week of pregnancy...some things happening with the baby are:

Baby Bogert is 6 inches long already and weigh more than 7 ounces! (the avg. weight of an extra large apple)

Baby B is moving all around and practices reflexes

Baby B can sense bright light - if you hold a flashlight directly to the belly, the baby will instinctively move it's arms to cover his/her eyes

Baby can now hear noises outside the womb. He/She can easily hear mom's voice and loud noises (eh hem...Humphrey's bark?)

Baby's "boy/girl parts" are formed now and distinguishable by ultrasound!! Soon!

First Baby Flutters!!!

Baby Bogert's on the move!

So today, after I ate lunch and was sitting quietly at my work desk here in D.C. I suddenly felt like a bug was running across my stomach really fast. Followed by a sensation of popcorn popping and being tickled.

It was Baby Bogert! He/She was moving around! And right after I ate! So, I said to Matt "It's definitely yours, it loves food!"

Just wanted to share - it was really amazing! Wow. What a great day!

14 Weeks!

Well, I'm 14 weeks today! Can't believe I can say in less than 6 months there will be a little Bogert added to the mix! We are enjoying me being in the second trimester, feeling much better and enjoying the remainder of the summer!

According to our book, things that are happening with the baby at 14 weeks are...

 

The baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and suck his/her thumb!

Baby Bogert's facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another.


Baby Bogert is now about (head to bottom)  3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces.

Baby Bogert's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells.

Though Mom can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, he/she is kicking and punching up a storm!

I can't wait to feel the kicks, and I know Matt can't wait to feel them either!
 
In about a month, we will find out if the little Bogert is a boy or girl!
 
Guesses so far:
 
Mom (Bre): 99% sure it is a girl. Just an intuition!
 
Dad (Matt): 75% sure it's a boy 25% sure it's a girl (he says he is more and more convinced by the day that I am carrying a girl because of dreams, old wives tails etc))
 
We can't wait to know, and start painting! :)
 
-Bre

We're having a baby!

Baby Bogert!

Yes, we're having a baby! I (Bre) am a little over 12 weeks, around 3 months along, and we are expecting our first little one January 20, 2011! We cannot wait!

We've had two ultrasounds that were absolutely amazing, hearing the heartbeat and seeing it flicker like a little hummingbird in my belly was absolutely breathtaking!

Here are some pictures from our early ultrasound about 2 weeks ago (10 weeks)

You can see the little brain, the leg, arm, and the umbilical cord towards the back!

Check back often for updates!