A Stint & Two Showers

Amniotic Fluid Level: 19-22.5

We had our Library Baby Shower Friday afternoon. Our cake spelled out Baby Daniel in building blocks and lots of our coworkers attended and generously spoiled us with great gifts!

Friday night, the whole crew came in town to visit for the weekend - Mom got in Friday afternoon in time for the Library shower; Justin's mom got in about 6:30 p.m. and my Dad, stepmom and brothers got in around 7:30 p.m. It was a real joy having everyone here - not to mention good practice for D Day - and we all had a great time.

Saturday, while all the girls were shopping the boys managed to pick up two pieces of the nursery furniture - the crib and the bottom of the hutch. That evening, we had our Lubbock Baby Shower where our cake was a mountain lake scene with elk and evergreens and we played a really cute game where we had to think of adult animal names based on animal baby names (i.e., a baby joey is an adult kangaroo). My Dad won but I came in a real close second (thanks to all he taught me)!

By Sunday morning, Justin, Dad and my little brothers had Baby Daniel's crib assembled - it was really sweet having all of them build it together. Justin also built a little "outhouse" to go in the nursery so that we can hide all of our network cabling and switch.

We visited First Baptist Child Development Center this week - we liked the security and the space in the classrooms but we're not too certain about the curriculum.

At our second childbirth education class, we watched another explicit video on coping with labor pain - which I cried through again - and learned two new breathing and relaxation techniques. I again asked for the epidural sign-up list.

Cabin Fever

Fundus Height: 32 cm
Amniotic Fluid Level: 25

Justin bought the wood for the nursery cabin and kept himself busy all day Saturday building it from scratch. Come Sunday, he was putting the finishing touches on the structure - lamp posts included! - and installed a new overhead light to match the room's theme. Check out Baby Daniel's Nursery Cabin - we're in the hungting lodge now!

Earlier this week we attended our first night of childbirth education class. We watched a very explicit video on natural childbirth and I cried through the entire thing because it looked so traumatizing. I obviously won't be able to handle the au naturel approach to meeting our son. I asked for the epidural sign-up list as soon as class was over. We also learned our first breathing and relaxation techniques which was fabulous for getting my mind off that horrific video.

This week, Justin was finally able to feel Baby D's hiccups - he was amazed at how clearly he could feel 'em. I told him try concentrating on something or sleeping while those are going off inside you!

We're still going back and forth on the name. We even flipped a coin - Paxton won - but Justin said I cheated somehow. Looks like we'll be waiting 'til we actually meet the little tyke to decide on his name for sure.