surprise baby shower!

I feel so blessed to have a wonderful place to work and amazing people to work with. Today, the ladies at work surprised me with a baby shower! Most importantly, the students were actually able to keep the secret. They all pitched in to provide a scrumptious lunch, a few baby clothes, a diaper bag, changing pad, and a jogging stroller. I feel honored to know these great women and call them friends!

Baby Amato in 3D

We went to the Ultrasound Experience today to get another glimpse at our little angel. Apparently, we have a yoga baby. Baby Amato was folded in half holding his/her leg above the head and resting the head on the knee. While we are grateful for the baby's flexibility, it made it challenging to get descent photos. Nonetheless, the top photo is Baby Amato with his/her eyes open - probably dreaming because s/he slept through the whole ultrasound despite my attempts to jostle. The second photo is Baby Amato yawning and you can see the cute little tongue ready to sass me and Joe. The last photo is Baby Amato passed out with chubby cheeks squished in between the knee and placenta. The photos all show a very healthy baby. After this, we went for the regular checkup and got more good news. Baby Amato is approximately ten weeks away from his/her debut!

just another day at the beach

It is just another gorgeous day at the beach today! Joey snapped this photo of me while we were watching the dogs frolic on Dog Beach. I'm getting quite plump at nearly 29 weeks and Baby Amato is kicking like crazy, especially after enjoying some sweets. We found out that Baby Amato passed another test - no gestational diabetes! That should be the last big test aside from making sure s/he is in a good birthing position. Next on our agenda: another ultrasound and baby classes...let's hope Joey doesn't pass out.

end of the middle - beginning of the end

This week marks the end of the second trimester and beginning of the third. Baby Amato is kicking up a storm and sometimes keeping me awake at night while doing his/her kung-fu moves. I've been scared into mama reality that two of my friends have given birth early (congrats to Jen & Heather!). Plus at my last check-up the doctor encouraged us to get busy building the nursery. So, I think a shopping spree at Babies R Us is pending. Here's what our baby informer shared with us this week (no, that isn't actually Baby Amato but a nice replica!)

Fetal development in pregnancy week 26:
At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this. In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and your little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

99 days and counting!

We are nearing the final trimester and out of the triple digit day countdown. I'm still in shock about being pregnant much less able to realize how close we are to the end. Joey got to feel the baby move for the first time this weekend so I think it is becoming more real to him too. I've been told by many people that we are having a girl. When I do the old wives' tales tricks, they almost always show a girl too. I suppose we will put it to the test! This is a photo (with cartoon effects) of me and my crazy kitty enjoying a nap - something I will treasure between now and May!

our birthday

Since Joe and my birthdays are two days apart, we celebrate together on the in between day. We snapped a few photos before our nice Italian dinner. I will soon surpass Joe's weight (and I'm trying to be ok with that). The first photo is a photo of his two (oops, three) favorite things - the guitar, me, and baby. Baby is moving a lot and we are doing great! 25 weeks & counting!

20 weeks = halfway there!

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through this adventure. As expected, Baby Amato and I are growing each day. I'm not sure I am feeling any movement yet but I may be confusing it with gas. Here's what our weekly baby informer had to say today:
Congratulations—you’re halfway there! Celebrate by talking to your baby since s/he can hear you now. Weighing in at about 9 ounces (.25 kg) and measuring over 6 inches (15 cm) long, your baby is aware of all kinds of sounds, from the beating of your heart and growling of your tummy, to songs on the radio and the buzzing of your alarm clock. If you feel a “bounce” in your tummy when you hear a loud noise, it’s because your baby hears it too! This is the start of your baby's active phase. You'll feel every twist, turn, and wiggle. You may also hear your baby’s heartbeat through a stethoscope, and it’s probably faster than you expect—120 to 160 beats per minute.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!

my how s/he's grown!

We had our ultrasound today and my, has Baby Amato grown! We got nothing but great news today. We got to see the major body parts including the spine and heart very clearly so all looks good. We resisted temptation and did not find out the gender. You can clearly see the perfect head -- s/he was waving his/her hand by his/her head when the photo was taken. S/he has a cute belly and is kicking back in the womb with skinny little legs propped up. We counted ten toes and five fingers (we assume the other hand is perfect too.) While s/he only weighs a pound, s/he could fit in the palm of my hand. From here, it seems to be all downhill. Baby Amato is fully formed but will continue to get fatter (like me). We may not see him/her again until May so we will treasure this photo until then!

Baby Amato's First Shower

While in Texas, my aunt Becky hosted a fantastic baby shower for me and Baby Amato. While it seems early to have a shower, this will probably be my last time to see everyone before Baby Amato arrives. The photo shows me, my niece Candice, the hostess, and my mom just before we gorged ourselves with yummy food and cake. The women showered me with many lovely words and gifts. Joe was a bit overwhelmed with all the baby stuff...even more so when I explained we still have many more things to get before we are ready to have Baby Amato join us at home!

bumpage at week 16

It seems like my bump appeared overnight - or do I just look chubby from too much turkey? Baby Amato knew to make an appearance before seeing my mother. We have returned from our Austin trip and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We got our tex-mex fix, squeezed in a baby shower, and had lots of time with family and friends. That will have to last us a while because after sharing trips with countless screaming babies on airplanes, we have vowed to each other to not travel until baby can handle it. Alas, the Texans will have to come to the beautiful west coast to see the Amato Trio.

leaving the danger zone

We officially survived the first trimester! We heard Baby Amato's heartbeat today loud and clear. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the baby today but that's a good sign that the ultrasound wasn't needed. Alas, I'll have to wait four more weeks to see him/her. I'll be happy to count the ten fingers and ten toes and make sure all the parts are in the right place! We will also get to find out the gender at that time but we really want to wait until s/he is born to know. How often do you get a surprise like that? We are really enjoying knowing that the scariest time period is behind us and will think positively about the future two-thirds!

telling the family

We've only shared our joyful news with a few select people but now the grandparents are in the loop. We sent them cards of our last sonogram photo with "Congratulations Grandparents!" We've been getting screaming and crying phone calls from the grandmas. Now, we can share the news with everyone else. We are at 11 weeks and still in shock but very, very happy. The gray image on the left between the + signs is Baby Amato at 9 weeks!