Sweet Blueberry

I've been meaning to share this sweet story for awhile now but am just finally getting it down on "paper." We enjoy the "what fruit or veggie is baby this week" updates from babycenter.com- I think because its a more tangible way to understand where little baby is in the development process, size-wise anyway. I've never been good with measurements so being able to visualize what 8 inches or 12 oz. looks like isn't easy for me. Anyway, back when baby was 7 weeks, he/she was the size of a blueberry. Geoff surprised me with breakfast in bed: a blueberry muffin from our favorite local coffee shop and a big decaf coffee (mmm, remember when I used to like coffee!?). He's so thoughtful that way.

26 weeks today, and baby is as tall as an English cucumber (14 inches) and weighs one and two-third pounds. Heard baby's strong heartbeat on Wednesday, about 120bpm. We know 3 couples who have had babies recently without finding out whether they were having a boy or girl -- all 3 have been boys. What do you think that means?!

Google Chrome on Fatherhood

As fatherhood rapidly approaches (t-minus 100 days and counting), I am noticing signs that I'm turning into a big sap. For example, this is my favorite commercial on TV right now, and not just because I like Google Chrome:

This ad resonates with me in several ways:

• Holding: Dad admits that he's still getting used to holding little Sophie. Yeah, I have no idea how to hold a baby. Or change diapers. Or get one to stop crying. There will be a lot of things to get used to.
• Giggles: The quick clip of Sophie laughing at her 1st birthday party is amazing. I can't wait to hear my baby laugh and melt my heart.
• Helpless: Sophie has to go to the hospital with a fever, with Dad acknowledging how helpless he feels. So many things are completely outside of my control as it is now, and it's hard to think about how little I'll be able to control once Baby Peck arrives.
• Model: The Dad in this ad is completely unlike most dads portrayed in popular culture today. That is to say, he's not a complete moron. This Dad is a loving, caring, sentimental, humorous, providing, protecting, family man. I hope I'll be that kind of Dad.

Corn Cob

24 weeks and Baby Peck is about as long as a corn cob (~12 inches) and weighs just over a pound. Baby's lungs and brain continue to develop, as well as taste buds which I find kinda funny. Baby will begin to plump up this next week and fill out some of those skin rolls, which is probably why I'm so hungry...

A few things I'm noticing lately:

• Baby is moving a lot more (or I can feel it better)- no dramatic kicks yet that Daddy can feel but he still enjoys knowing that I'm feeling our little one regularly doing acrobatics
• In the last month I've had more swelling in my legs and ankles but it seems to be mostly weather related if I'm on my feet too long- this cooler weather has made a difference!
• My appetite has definitely increased, especially around lunch time. In the evenings I tend to get full faster, but am hungry again an hour or so later. Many days I eat 2-3 apples with peanut butter as a snack.
• My food aversions are slowly but surely getting less and less. I made myself a cup of coffee this morning which makes 2 in the past week, quite an accomplishment! Even bigger than that, I made turkey burgers this past week which is the first time in, oh, probably 4 months. I even have plans to make chicken tortilla soup this week which will be my first chicken recipe probably since June. Geoff will be happy for something other than spaghetti or pizza! (By the way, I made individual pizzas last week on flattened Pillsbury Grand rolls and they were delicious! Mmmm that flaky crust!)