Abby Kate in 4D

Jeff & I got to see our daughter up close and personal this morning... in 4D! I don't think there was ever any question that we'd have the 4D photos done, despite the fact that insurance doesn't cover it. We just figured if Abby Kate didn't cooperate, she could repay us the money out of her allowance some day. Ha Ha...
Her arm was covering her face at first so we were a little concerned we wouldn't get any good pictures. The technician joked that Abby Kate was being either shy or stubborn. I told her my bet was on stubborn because we don't have any shy family members. Stubborn could come from her Poppa or Bidee or Uncle Jeremy. I think Uncle Chad is the only one in my immediate family who she wouldn't get that from.
She is quite the contortionist! For a long time she had her hands beside her face and her feet touching her forehead, as you see below. We figure if she's not an Olympic gymnast she could always be an acrobat in the circus...
We watched her for about 45 minutes and came away with tons of photos on CD and paper as well as a videotape of the whole thing.
Here's a shot of her hand and foot.
The coolest part was feeling her and seeing her at the same time. I told Jeff recently that I wish I could see what she's doing when she moves and today I did.
I think she looks like her daddy but we'll see for sure in about 11 weeks!
I posted different photos on my other blog. You can check them out at http://www.julie-and-jeff.blogspot.com/

Baby Birthing 101

Jeff & I have attended child birth classes the past 2 Thursday nights and I've just got to wonder: Haven't there been ANY baby delivery movies made since 1978?
There are 3 other couples in our class. I'm glad there aren't more than that because I really don't think we'd get through the lesson each week within the 2 1/2 hour time period. You heard me right. 2 1/2 hours. My TV news producing background has kicked in as I consider ways the instructor could shave at least 30 minutes off the course. For example, everyone of the women in our class is in her third trimester. So why did we spend 20 minutes watching a video on nutrition? Perhaps it's a required topic. In my opinion, it's wasted time.
Don't get me wrong; the class has helped us get a better understanding of what to expect during labor although I have a feeling labor is something you can't really understand until you're actually going through it.
My favorite moment thus far has been the after-class question by an adorably young mother-to-be who wanted to know if it was OK for her to use self-tanning lotion so that her legs wouldn't be so white. I guess she's expecting an audience in her delivery room. As my friend Lee so poignantly pointed out: the young lady will be lucky if she can shave her legs at that point.
Next week's class should be better because we will get the hospital tour and what I consider "news we can use."
One more note: my dear Jeff has already mastered the relaxation techniques, as his eyes were closed pretty much the whole time that video was playing. Ha!

Drum Roll, Please...

Jeff & I have officially settled on a name for Baby Scrabble. Some of you already know the name we've been leaning toward. Now, I've got 75 baby shower invitations on my kitchen table to make it official. Baby Scrabble's name will be Abby Kate Reyburn, and we will call her Abby Kate.
I must admit I still have a great affection for her nickname Baby Scrabble so you'll probably still hear me using it intermittently in conversation and on the blog.

28 Week Check-up

Baby Scrabble and I returned to the doctor on Tuesday for our 28 week checkup. It was a pretty uneventful visit. I heard her heartbeat, which was 150. She's been between 145 and 160 the whole time. Jeff didn't make this visit, in part because we knew the lab work might be lengthy.
I had to endure the glucose drink/blood test. I'd heard horror stories about how awful the drink would be but it was not bad. To me it tasted like flavored water with a little too much sugar. 30 minutes or so after drinking it I really wanted something salty to counteract all that sweet but overall it was quite tolerable. The doctor told me they would only call if I failed the test, and if I passed we'd talk about it at my next appointment. Late Wednesday afternoon, I had a message from the nurse on my voicemail and panicked momentarily. She actually called to say I had passed and that I could call them if I wanted specific numbers.
Our doctor visits will now be every 2 weeks because we are in the final trimester. Can you believe it?! Jeff & I still have SO much to do to get ready for the baby. An acquaintance of Jeff's who also sees our doctor delivered at 27 weeks not long ago. Praise God the baby is doing great... it just serves as a reminder to me that we just don't know when Baby Scrabble will get here and right now, we have nowhere to put her!

Scrabble's First Baby Shower

Jeff & I enjoyed the first baby shower in our honor last week. His company invited us for cake and presents.
We received Baby Scrabble's bathtub and a pack of washcloths, a Fisher Price toy, a first-aid kit, 3 outfits and a very generous gift card/cash combo.
I couldn't take any pictures there but snapped this shot at our home to show off Baby Scrabble's loot.

Baby Scrabble's Pal

Baby Scrabble will have a buddy waiting for her just as soon as she is born.
Jeff & I are blessed to be sharing our pregnancy experience with a wonderful couple from our church. We enjoyed dinner with them Monday night. Their son "Little Bit" is due in March but could, quite frankly, decide he's ready to enter the world any day now.
It occurred to me we didn't have any photos of Baby Scrabble and Little Bit "together" so we snapped this shot for the scrapbook.

Working The List

Jeff & I are slowly - but surely! - working our way down the list of things to do in order to get ready for Baby Scrabble.
The bedding arrived last Monday. We purchased a crib and armoire on Saturday. There is one more piece we want to buy but the store didn't have it in stock so that remains on the list. We've picked out paint samples and will decide on a color this week so Jeff can take advantage of a discount he has for Lowe's.
We registered at Babies R Us last week and will register at Target this week. A BIG thanks to everyone who contributed to my "Help/Advice" email. You made it a lot easier for us to scoot through Babies R Us. We are by no means done with this process but at least we're on the way.
Our first baby shower is scheduled for this week. Jeff's office is hosting and we are excited!

25 Weeks Pregnant

I have not done a good job of preserving my pregnancy in pictures. I think I've only taken two shots of my belly- one at 16 weeks and this one, which is 25 weeks. I had every intention to take pregnancy photos every 4 weeks and it just hasn't happened. Oh, well.
I am still feeling really good, though I have experienced some back pain in recent days. Nothing a heating pad can't help! I got frustrated last night because I couldn't get comfortable in bed. I moved to the couch and within minutes was sound asleep. I don't like the idea of sleeping on the couch for the next 3 months so hopefully the back pain will subside or I'll be able to soothe it somehow. Maybe new mattresses are in order...

... The Mouths of Babes

Jeff & I get a lot of joy from teaching 1st graders in Sunday School. We've been teaching for three years and feel like they are "our" kids.
Sunday's lesson was about good news and how God sent Jesus to spread the good news. We each took turns sharing good news and, of course, Jeff & I shared with the kids that we are going to have a baby. They all wanted to know if it was a boy or girl but that was about the end of their interest.
Just before the parents arrived to collect the kids, one of the boys looked at me and said "How are you going to have a baby? You're not fat!"
Maybe I should wear that dress every day...
I thanked him for his nice words but assured him the baby still had lots of growing to do. We'll see what he thinks of me come April...