Baby Survey

At the suggestion of my sister I created a survey to track what gender, weight, size, etc.. the baby will be. If you get a moment fill it out. Thanks!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GGDJDDF

Childbirth Preparation

Today and yesterday evening, Ken and I attended St. Marks Hospital's Childbirth Preparation class. Having busy schedules, we opted for the intensive format instead of doing the six evening classes. The class was GREAT and we both feel more prepared than before. I don't think we will get to the point of feeling totally ready, but who is? The course covered the labor and delivery process, breathing and relaxation techniques, the birth partner's role, newborn and post-partum care, and a tour of the hospital's labor/delivery and post-partum rooms. We even made Play-Doh cervixes and dilated them.

Our trusty manual from the class.

The class had 10 couples include ourselves. As always there is the odd couple who brings up all sorts of weird questions. Don't get me wrong, it makes for interesting comeback lines from the instructor and wide-eyed classmates. We are now educated in hospital rules, as far as, taking your placenta with you in a "doggy bag" for later consumption... interesting.

Some of my favorite quotes worthy of sharing:

"Every time you put on a turtleneck sweater, you are birthing yourself." - Kim the Instructor. I nearly died trying not to laugh out loud, thinking about how hard it would be and how ridiculous someone would look trying to get a turtleneck sweater pulled down over their shoulders, LOL.

"Parenting, Just Do It."

After Ken placed on the pregnancy simulating vest, I asked, "Is this your Play-Doh baby?" (pointing to the dough he was molding). He replied, "I was working on it, but then I got pregnant, and now I don't do anything." ROTFL

The word "taco" has now become an acronym for Time Amount Color Odor in reference to someone's water breaking, how wonderful is that?

After a full day of learning, Ken even had enough energy to make up some delicious ribs for dinner (thanks Boo).

Ken's Play-Doh Baby.

The pregnancy simulating vest.

I think the instructor should of had the guys wear it for more than 15-minutes.

Bead Spiders

My friend/neighbor, Amanda, taught me how to make these nifty bead spiders. I can hardly wait for Halloween to get here! I went a little crazy and bought a bunch of new beads for heads and abdomens... more creativity to ensue.

Ken likes this steampunk spider.

BABY BUMP

There has been a multitude of requests to see a baby bump photograph, so here one is! :) I have to admit, my new favorite store is "a pea in the pod". I have a few tops that work as maternity clothes; however, my current inventory of shorts/pants/slacks are so uncomfortable (even using a belly belt (i.e., waist extender) or a BeBand (i.e., maternity band)).

My shoes still fit, although I do tend to have some swelling of my legs, ankles, and feet. No hand swelling, acne, or heartburn. I told Ken this morning the baby is already preparing us for waking-up throughout the night, since I now magically have a bladder the size of a pea.

The baby is very active in the night, kicking and rolling around. I blame Ken because of his "night owl" tendencies. I hope to have more photographs up soon; stay tuned.

Timp Tradition

At 20 Weeks, Day 2, we continued the Timpanogos (a.k.a., Timp) hike tradition. So the story goes... Ginger's Mom did the hike (back-side of Timp) while in the first trimester with Ginger and Ken's Mom did the hike (to the cave) while in the second trimester with Ken. Being in the second trimester and not doing so hot in the first, I opted for the cave hike. The hike to Emerald Lake on the back-side of Timp is approximately a 16-mile round trip hike (yeee-ouch!). The trail to the cave consists of a 1.5-mile hike along a zigzag path climbing 1,065-feet to an elevation of 6,730-feet. The round trip to and through the caves and back down is 3.5-miles. Thank goodness there is a port-o-potty along the trail. We did the hike and tour early in the morning; therefore, we missed the heat of the day.

Ken, my Sherpa. He carried water, snacks, jackets, flashlights, and the camera.

Heart of Timpanogos.

Our Tour Guide and Jr. Ranger.

Salt and Pepper Shakers. Back in the day, these were the only cave formations you could touch; however, they've changed the rules and the salt and pepper shakers are now off limits.