Baby Boy Bogert measuring big, due date moved up...halfway done!

So, Baby Bogert is measuring in the 77th percentile (no surprise given who dad is) and is also measuring about 4 days ahead of schedule. So the official due date is still 1/20/11, but the last ultrasound showed that January 16th is more practical.

They don't change the official due date unless it varies by 9 days or more, and since this is only 4 days, it will not change on my charts. However, doc said that that just means we prepare mentally for 1/16/11 and be aware that it might be around then give or take some days.

Also, we discussed baby's birth size and what she said was pretty interesting. Babies generally follow Mom's birth size, but take into account dad's birth size, just in a smaller percentage. She plugged my birth weight (7lbs 8 ounces) and Matt's birth size (11lbs 1 oz. - but she had to scale his down to what he would have been had be not been a month late - so, 9.5 lb.), and did all these crazy calculations, added 1/2 lb. for it being a boy...and said that I am looking around a 9 pounder. We will see in a couple of months, won't we?!

She also said that our one ultrasound picture (below) from the anatomy/gender scan  the other day was one of the best shots she has seen.

So, according to the new tentative due date, I am 20 weeks today - HALFWAY DONE! 140 days done, and 140 to go!

We have been busy with washing baby clothes so I can put them into the dresser/changing table (big shout out to my great friend Meg for helping remove tags and put clothes into piles! It was fun saying "awwww" over and over again with her!) Matt's been busy painting the baby's room so that we can finally start it as a nursery and not a room filled with baby stuff all over! (Pictures to come soon enough!) I'm up to my ears in craft ideas now that I know it's a boy!

19 Weeks update!

How far along: 19 weeks! Almost halfway!
Symptoms: Extreme Hunger! Wakes me up sometimes at 4:00 am. Crazy feeling...Weird tingly legs and also very vivid dreams and nightmares!

Maternity Clothes: Need more of them!

Stretch Marks: None too bad yet.

Sleep: I am sleeping well, just interrupted a lot to get up to go to the bathroom and also to wake up from my intense dreams and nightmares. Talk about vivid! My heart is beating so fast sometimes when I wake up I have to meditate a little to fall back asleep!

Best Moment Last Week: Finding out we are having a BOY!

Movement: Here and there! :)

Food Cravings: Everything besides meat...nothing too specific this week! Actually, I take that back, now I want a BLT on a plain toasted bagel with a tiny bit of mayo - anyone want to bring one to me? :)

What I miss: Sleeping on my back! Oh how I miss it! I know it's not good for me or baby to do so, so I don't, but I miss it!!!

What am I looking forward to: Getting some baby boy gear! We got the bedding and Matt got some boy clothes last night...now we are off to get some paint and some crafts for me to work on!!

Milestones: Knowing what we are having is wonderful. I love calling him my the name we chose and I love calling him "little boy" or baby boy :)

How is Daddy? : You should have seen his face when he found out it was a boy! He could not stop grinning. (one-because he could rub it in that I was so certain it was a girl and was wrong...and two-it's a boy! What Dad doesn't want a boy!?). He is just on cloud 9 right now. We can't wait until the winter!
 
 
have a good one!
-Bre and Matt and Baby Boy Bogert

In January...we're going to be having a ..........?

Well, we found out! We are having a...

 BOY!

 He was not shy at all either, showed us several times what he was! We will have some neat ultrasound pictures to follow!

YAY!!!

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!

Why I think we're having a girl (Bre's side of the story)

Well...my husband beat me to this post! I think he has a strong case! I did dream about baby boys...but let me tell you why I think we're having a girl...

First off, 99.9% of my reasoning is strictly intuition-based. I have had an intuition since about 7 weeks pregnant that I was carrying a girl (Coincidentally, when Morning Sickness kicked in!)

Since then, my feelings have only gotten stronger!

1) Morning sickness, which Matt covered below...

(here is an article we were sent to read, very interesting about morning sickness and baby girls!)

NewYorkTimes-The Claim: Morning Sickness Means a Girl Is More Likely

2) Old wives tales...mostly fantasy but one day Matt convinced me to try a bunch of them...

- A needle on a string held over my belly moves back and forth, not in circles, which indicates a girl

- I have never had any acne, and all of a sudden do, which indicates a girl (stealing mom's looks)

- Dad is not gaining weight, indicating it's a girl (Matt is losing at my gaining rate thanks to his job!)

- Craving sweets and fruit, indicates girl

-Hair is not as shiny as before, indicates girl

-The Chinese Gender Predictor indicates girl

- Babies heart rate has always been over 140 (indicates girl)

- When Matt asks me to show him my hands, I show him palms up, indicates girl

Old Wives Tales are a big ridiculous but it will be funny to see if they were "right" haha.

They were fun for us to try

3) I just "feel" like it's a girl. I can't explain that anymore. Just the intuition again.

We will see in 3 weeks, won't we! I just wanted to write all of them down so I don't ever forget thinking this!

Here are some sites for your enjoyment!

Boy or Girl Quiz - Childbirth.org

Chinese Gender Chart - Prediction

Some Old Wives Tales

 

Why I THINK we're having a boy (Matt's side of the story)

I told Bre it might be fun to explain why we both think we're so sure of what we're having. I can say, that my wife is a lot more certain that it's a girl than I am that it is a boy!

I would say, I'm about 70% leaning toward boy and 30% leaning toward girl!

(I figured if I am right, this would be the best way to say..."Ha! I told you!" and have proof for Bre, haha.

My reasoning:

When we first found out Bre and I were expecting, before anyone else knew, she had about 3 dreams about little baby boys...and I've read in my "expecting dad" book that dreams are very telling in pregnant women...

Then the morning sickness kicked in hardcore and the doc did say to us that a lot of times women who carry little girls have more morning sickness than those carrying boys because of the hormones baby girl makes and the hormones mom is producing. So...then I thought girl. Also, the morning sickness (for Bre, mostly night time) continued and is still continuing way past the end of the first trimester, which also happens for a bunch of women carrying girls. Many say that is a myth, but it was cool, our doctor actually emailed me some studies that prove this.

Also, doc said that what Bre's mother felt during pregnancy was also indicative of what she could possibly be carrying. Bre's mother remembers being much sicker with Bre than with her brother Josh. She shared some funny stories with us that made Bre feel much less ridiculous about having to dine and dash from restaurants because her nausea was acting up.

However, Bre has still dreamt about baby boys and the in one dream, the sonographer vividly tells us there is a baby boy on the screen, so then I'm back to boy. (in a dream, not real life)

Also, the baby totally fist bumped the screen during the last ultrasound, and that has to be a little Bogert boy, or I guess a pretty cool girl.

You can sense my confusion, I guess we will see in about 3 weeks what we are having, I can't wait to know. We have everything all planned out and can't wait to start it. I can't wait to call it "he" or "she" or by his/her name and not "it".

So...that's why I am 70% boy and 30% girl.

Bre said she will post hers later.

-Matt

Coolest ultrasound pictures so far! 15 week appt!

Today's appointment went great - met another doctor in the practice - liked her a lot! Since we don't know which doctor will be delivering me, they want to rotate us in with every one until we've seen all 4!

Everything is great with Baby Bogert! He/She is measuring bigger than normal so the due date may move up again in 3 weeks when we go for the anatomy ultrasound (where they check out all the body parts and tell us if it's a boy or girl!!!)

The pictures were amazing, we didn't even know we were getting one! Apparently, we will get one every appointment because they have the equipment in each room :) A nice perk to this already great insurance!

When we got there, the baby was turned with it's back to the front, the second she started pressing on my belly, the baby turned around so quickly and looked right at us! Granted the face it a bit alien-ish right now, it is incredible how much has changed in the past 5 weeks since those last pictures! Baby is now so big! (around 5 inches).

As Matt says, the baby is definitely mine, stubborn! Every time the doctor would try to take the heart rate, baby would swim away and wriggle! Finally, he/she settled down and we got a good strong heart rate reading!

At the end of it, we got a special treat...just before doc was about to turn off the machine, Baby Bogert started to settle down and stuck his/her finger right in his/her mouth. It brought tears to both of our eyes.

What an amazing, perfect, absolutely beautiful day!

Your guesses are welcome!

Are we having a baby boy or a baby girl?

Vote on the right side of the blog!

Guesses will be open until the beginning of Sept. when we find out!

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!

Happy 4th of July!

HAPPY 4th Everyone!

-The Bogerts

The FURminator - not just a "gimmick" but amazing!

Hi all - Anyone with pets knows that when springtime rolls around, you have to do a lot more vacuuming and brushing the cats and dogs -- all that winter fur needs to go somewhere! We have 2 kitties and 2 dogs and lots of white carpet, so I end up vacuuming every afternoon and dusting too. To alleviate that burden, and save some time with cleaning, (and also to make the pets feel a little more comfortable!) we decided to finally give in and spend the 50.00 for the FURminator deshedding tool.

 Many of our cat and dog owner friends have spoken volumes about it, but we just never felt it necessary...

After brushing the dogs and cats for 10 mins each, Matt filled a trash can halfway with hair, and he said he wasn't even done, that the furry ones were just getting a little aggrivated and he needed to stop.

Things we noticed:

- It pulls away only the undercoat that sheds, not the shiny top coat, unlike other brushes do

- it helps with allergies for those allergic to cats when they visit your house as it lowers dander count

- it alleviates hairballs for cats

- it also helps if your dog/cat has dandruff or flaky skin, because it allows skin oils to be distributed back to the hair and not the undercoat. that is shed 

-The dogs especially seem noticibly more comfortable in the heat

We both can't imagine how much time and grooming money the FURminator would have saved when we had our golden retreivers, Shannon and Buddy, when we were younger!

For More info, or to see demos of it...

FURminator

We are SO glad we finally got one! :)

-Matt, Bre, Mocha, Humphrey, GQ, Guinness Bogert

Matt's Homemade Raised dog food stand

Well, last week my amazing husband, Matt finished a project he had been planning to make - a raised dog feeder that could serve two dogs of similar height - so here it is!

Now they both can eat and drink from the same stand and it is much healthier for them to eat this way. After he assembled the pieces, I opted not to stain the piece with polyeurethane or stain because that can chip, and still mold with water if it seeps in. Instead, we chose to coat it with several coats of Butcher Block/Salad bowl finish which seeps into the wood and makes it impossible for mold to appear.

It also creates a food-safe surface and has been ok'd by the FDA to eat from. (This Butcher block finish is also used for kids toys such as puzzles, blocks, etc. because they put them in their mouths so much) It is virtually unscented and to clean up the surface of the table, all you need is a little soapy water or white vinegar.

Every month or so, it's also good to rub on a little mineral oil, much like you do to a butcher block to maintain it!

They love it!

Also, Matt's waiting on a special tool that will help him with the circular holes for the bowls, and .... We will begin to sell them on etsy.com in different sizes and small ones for kitties too! :) Look for them in the next coming months!!! He is so talented - thanks Matt!

-Bre