Flashing Back to the Doctors Appointment

Even though it may be old news by now, the doctors appointment was amazing. It was absolutely incredible seeing our baby. I thought I was gonna dump all over the place while watching the doctors face as she tried to get a view on the screen for the ultrasound. I was just a little paranoid, but all is well, which is awesome. The other shocking thing about the appointment was "my first vaginal examination." Although I do not have a vagina and really could not even see anything, I still felt violated. My lovely wife was sitting spread eagle and the doctor/CIA torture specialist started coming over with the tools found in "SAW." After the doctor brought in the car jack to open her up she mentioned "scraping," "some bleeding is normal," and something about "putting the lotion in the basket," thats when I temporarily blacked out a little. It was quite traumatic, but I think Kristen handled it well (like everything else involving her pregnancy) so that is the important part. She's still being a trooper with the morning sickness, but I'm know it'll turn around soon. So Gryler if you're reading this in like 12 years, I love you and am so grateful to have you. Muah!

Week 9

Wow, we've already made it another week. I feel like these weeks are just flying by. I can't believe we are now entering our 3rd month of pregnancy. Already the changes to my body are mind blowing. I now have the completion of a 14 year old boy, I have the greasest hair, my nails now grow at rapid rates, my boobs, forget them, they will never look the same, and talk about emotional! I watched the Acemedy Awards the other night and cried at every acceptance speech, and I didn't even know who half the people were-crazy! My morning sickness is still here, it never gets better, but I'm hoping someday soon it will!

Ok here's what's happening with the baby this week:

1. Although the baby is still very small, it is beginning to look more like a human being. The baby's back is straightening out and the tail is shrinking. In proportion to the rest of his body, the head is large and remains curved forwards onto the chest. The head is erect and the neck is developing well.
2. The baby will begin to make tiny movements as the muscles start to develop. You can not feel any of these early movements, but you might be able to see them during an ultrasound.
3. The arms and hands are progressing faster than the legs and feet at this point. By this time of the baby's development, the hands have defined finger ridges and the tissue between them will die off to leave separate fingers.
4. Most joints are formed now
5. Fetus will curve its fingers around an object placed in the palm of its hand. At only nine weeks, if you happen to have an ultrasound, you may observe your infant fascinated by everything he or she can lay their fingers on (mainly other fingers, toes, ears and nose).
6. Fingerprints are already evident in the skin
7. The baby can also make a fist, and he/she may begin sucking his/her thumb.

Baby Gryler's Playlist

Here's the playlist I have for the baby so far:

1. A Mother's Prayer- Celine Dion
   
   
2. Amazing- Janelle
   
   
3. Baby Mine- Alison Krauss
   
   
4. Capri- Colbie Caillat
   
   
5. Godspeed (sweet Dreams)- Dixie Chicks
   
   
6. In My Daughter's Eyes- Martina McBride
   
   
7. Isn't She Lovely- Stevie Wonder
   
   
8. Let Them Be Little - Lonestar
   
   
9. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)- Billy Joel
   
   
10. My Little Girl- Tim McGraw
    
    
11. My Wish- Rascal Flatts
    
    
12. To Zion- Lauryn Hill
    
    

Let me know if anyone knows any other good songs to add!

First Glance

I know it's a little late, but last Thursday we finally went to the doctor's and saw Baby Gryler. The appointment was pretty routine and so far everything looks good. We go again in 4 weeks. Seeing baby Gryler was amazing! I still can't believe this is real. This is our baby and it's perfect! I already think Baby Gryler is the most beautiful baby. I keep wanting to call the baby a she, so I'll go with that for now. I know it's kind of hard to see the picture, that's because I took a picture of the ultrasound. So this is the best I could get. When looking at the picture the baby's head is to the right and the body to the left. I can't even describe the amount of love I have for this baby already.
I've started making a playlist for the baby on my Ipod. I am in love with the song "Amazing" by Janelle.

I can't leave Miss Lily out when talking about the baby, because well, she is our first baby. Well she recently has started sharing my foot pillow with me. When I sleep I place a pillow under my foot, it just helps make me more comfortable. Well, she now places her foot on top of my foot on the pillow and we share it. We usually spend most of the time kicking each other though. Here's a picture of the nightly occurrence.

8 Weeks

Yeah! 2 months down only 7 more to go. Our baby is now the size of a raspberry. My morning sickness gets worse everyday, but I'm learning how to cope with it. We finally go see the doctor Thursday. I hope we get to see the baby! I can't wait. I'm hoping this will make it feel real.

What is happening this week:

-Cartilage and bones begin to form - At the end of this week the baby will have already completed 1/5th of the journey 'til its birthday!
-The basic structure of the eye is well underway - The position is more "newborn" like already!
-The tongue begins to develop
-Intestines move out of the umbilical cord into the abdomen.
-Body grows and makes room - Two months along and this little one is growing inside and out by leaps and bounds!
-The fingers and toes have appeared but are webbed and short

Hopefully we will have lots to blog about Thursday!

Gift exchange

So this morning, Cole being a nice guy took Lily out before heading to work. Well when he came back in he handed me a beautiful red rose. I in return said "Thank you" and then handed him my throw-up bucket and said "will you empty this for me?" Not such a fair trade, Cole gives me a rose and I give him throw-up. Oh yes the romance of pregnancy.

Well, at least it was a gift from me and the baby!

Sorry Cole! I love you and appreciate all you do for me! Happy Valentine's Day!

7 Weeks

Well we are finally at 7 weeks, which means we are almost 2 months along, yeah! We finally go to the doctor's next week and we can't wait.

Here's what's happening this week:

This week the baby has an amazing growth spurt. At the beginning of this week, the baby is approximately 4 to 5 mm and by the end of the week it has more than doubled to 11 to 13 mm. The baby's leg and arm buds are longer now and they have divided into segments where the hands and feet will be. The hands and feet also have an area where the fingers and toes will begin to form. At this point the heart is bulging frrom the body and it has divided into right and left chambers. The brain's hemispheres are continuing to grow and the air passages into the lungs are visible. Your baby's eyes are begining to get pigment. The nose is developing and the beginning of the face can be seen. The baby's abdomen is developing quickly and the appendix and pancreas are already present.

As far as what's happening to me, morning sickness is kicking my butt! I am unable to keep anything down. I am a prisioner in my home and can't leave for fear that I will puke everywhere. I'm trying to hang in there, and know that this will all be worth it to have a healthy little baby.

As far as Lily, she is very interested in me and why I spend so much time with my head in the bucket. In fact she often appears to be mocking me by sticking her head into my bucket.

When she's not mocking me, she's stealing my spot constantly. The minute I get up, she hops into my spot. I think she likes all the pillows I use.

6 Weeks

Our appleseed is now the size of a sweet pea. Morning sickness has finally kicked in full force, although I'm misserable it's all worth it.

What's happening this week:
The arms and legs continue to develop
Brain is growing well
Lenses of the eyes appear
Nostrils are formed
Intestines grow - Initially these are actually located outside the baby's body within the umbilical cord.
Pancreas - The baby is now equipped to deal with digestive enzymes and take on processing the insulin and glucagons the body needs to function.