Drake's Den

2009-08-15T13:53:00.003-04:00

Daddy was off work Thurs in order to take care of me while Mommy experienced some pre-labor stuff.. whatever that is. Here we are at the park. Although I like pointing and running towards the swings, I don't like them once I'm sat inside one. It restricts me too much. I need to GO GO GO!

We also went to Pizza Hut. Here I am playing on an arcade. Who needs to eat when they can just play games all day?? It's the funnest thing EVER!

Playground Fun!

2009-05-28T02:19:00.004-04:00

Daddy and I went for a walk this evening. We went down the street to the local elementary school playground. I had a lot of fun playing on the slide, especially when Daddy let me walk up the steps myself. I'm such a big boy! There was also a suspension bridge. He helped me across a couple of times, but after that I did it myself. I was also able to walk up and down the steps all by myself, for the most part. I didn't fall even once! I'm so good! Tee Hee!

Train Bed!!!

2009-05-25T12:37:00.004-04:00

This weekend we all went to Toys R Us (since the closest Babies R Us is in Portland... about 2 hours). Mommy & Daddy bought me some really cool cardboard boxes! They'll make a great fort tee hee :) Afterward, we went to Burger King and sat in an outside, fenced, patio area. I had a lot of fun running around even though I fell and scraped my hand pretty good. Daddy calls it an "abrasion", but I think he's just trying to appear smart.

Anyway the next day, on Sunday....... Guess WHAT....... Chicken Butt! Well, Mommy thinks that's funny for some reason. Daddy unpacked those boxes I was talking about and WOW WEE! It was a train bed! Daddy helped me put it together... he's helpful that way. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new bed. It's great to play in, and there's a groove along each edge that I can race cars down. There's storage in the front of the train, but I dunno what I'm going to put in there yet. Probably cars. One of the best things about the bed is that I can get out of it anytime I want, even after bedtime! So I can play and read and generally do whatever I want and not go to bed.

Unfortunately, Mommy or Daddy stayed in the room and kept putting me back in my bed, preventing me from playing too much. It was a fun game.. I'd get out, and then they'd put me back in. But after 2 hours of doing this, I was a little tired so after Mommy left the room I barely managed to make it back to my super duper uber comfy bed and fell asleep. However, I do have an inquiry or two: Isn't this MY train bed? Who's this "Thomas" character and why does everyone seem to think its his bed?

Weekend Walking

2009-05-04T15:23:00.005-04:00

Saturday Daddy and I went for a walk. I had a lot of fun discovering new things, pointing out letters and numbers on cars (cars are neat!), and touching many of the plants along the way. We ended up at a garage sale where Daddy bought me a Ghirardelli Train. There wasn't any chocolate in it, of course. He also bought some Sand Dollars for Mommy. The train was fun but the top kept coming off. He eventually fixed it though. It's not really a kid appropriate toy, but I do OK with it :)

Sunday we went for another walk, this time just around the block though. There were some little girls building a fort for their stuft animals. They were putting leaves on the ground to create a foundation and had some sticks sticking up from the ground. They were about to cover it with a blanket. I tried to help by picking up some leaves but Daddy wouldn't let me get involved in their activities. He's so mean sometimes. But I really enjoyed our walks overall. Mommy takes me for walks sometimes too. I hope we keep doing them. I like walks. I also like my Monkey backpack with tail leash :)

Train Expo

2009-04-24T17:15:00.003-04:00

Daddy and I went to the Train Expo at the Lane County Fairgrounds this past weekend. It was free for me because I was under 10 yrs old. The expo was 3 large rooms full of vendors selling their old train, train related, and sometimes non-train related, stuff. He bought me some matchbox trucks. They were cool. There were SOOO many cool things there... but Daddy wouldn't let me play with most of them. There were also a few running trains on display. They were AWESOME! Daddy wouldn't let me go pick them up though. He's so mean. I decided to throw a fit to show my displeasure but then we just left the building for a while. Why can't he understand that I just want to GO GO GO?!?!?! I can run around and play with stuff on my own ya know. I eventually calmed down after several attempts and we went back inside. Daddy bought a box of trees for 4 bucks. We had to leave an hour before they closed though since we bought friends with us and they had to go. That's OK though.. if I can't run around and play with all the cool trains, what's the point of going? What were you thinking, Dad???

Beach Visit

2009-04-18T16:30:00.004-04:00

Today Mommy & Daddy and I drove 1-2 hours to the beach. It was a pretty drive and I looked out the window most of the time. Lots of pretty green trees and mountains. I've never seen the Pacific ocean before. Of course, I've never seen any ocean before. Or a sea for that matter. I'm not sure what the big deal is. Looks like a lot of water. Too cold to go in though, even in the summer. The sand was kind of weird, but I liked it. There were some other kids and I played chase with them, but they kept going in the wash and Daddy wouldn't let me splash in the receding waves. It was kind of cold, but it was very windy and we weren't prepared so we didn't stay long. We ended up driving up the coast for another hour or so. There was a cool lighthouse and a bunch of cliffs and even a couple of tunnels! We then found a small, local Italian restaurant and had dinner there. Afterward we watched the sunset. Mommy seemed to like it a lot. I was kinda bored. I had missed my nap and was kinda tired too. I tried to be on my best behavior though. It was a long 2 hour trip back home and I fell asleep shortly before arriving. Anyway, I look forward to going back to the beach once it warms up and I am allowed to run around more.

New updates, with a fresh coat of paint

2007-12-08T14:00:00.001-05:00

Now that I am updating my blog again (or am I updating my blog because I changed the template?), I have installed a new Pooh themed template. That means the formatting and colors and stuff are based on what the template says to use. The content (my posts, etc) doesn't change.

I hope you like the new look. It's currently July 5, 2008, but in order to make this post not stay on the top of my blog forever (making it seem that there are no updates), I'm going to backdate it. If you're confused by all this don't worry. So am I.

Week 12: 12/01/2007 - 12/07/2007

2007-12-07T14:00:00.003-05:00

Wow time is just flying by. It seems like only 15 mins ago I was typing up Week 11. Tee Hee.

A big shout out to my Grandma Cheryl who art in Heaven.
Thanks for being my Guardian Angel (part time of course).

It snowed for the first time this season in Manassas, VA. I didn't really get to play in it though.

Mom and Dad had sequential dental appointments (psssst, that means one right after another), so I sat in the waiting room with Mom for about an hour, and then with Dad for about an hour. The office has a cool big screen LCD, so we watched some old (but hey, new to me!) Christmas type shows. Afterwards, we all went to Dad's work and I visited a bunch of nice people.

Mom and I went on some errands too. We picked up my holiday card from Walmart. It's so full of awesomeness I can barely describe it. Me + Reindeer outfit = total cuteness! We also went to Mom's bookclub meeting and I was oogled and loved by everyone as usual.

11 Weeks old

2007-11-30T14:00:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm 11 weeks old now. When do I start talking about my age in terms of months instead of weeks?

This week I had my UGI (Upper Gastrointestinal) test. We went to the radiology lab at the hospital. The staff were all very nice and I didn't fuss at all until near the end. Laying on a hard bench and having a huge machine pushed over me isn't comfortable. Turns out I don't have any digestive tract problems! Hurray!

I have to keep this post short since my attention span is only about 2 minutes long. Kinda like Daddy. Tee Hee.

"If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?"
- Ed Dussault

10 Weeks old

2007-11-23T14:00:00.001-05:00

I'm sorry I haven't updated my blog. Mommy keeps feeding me and Daddy keeps changing my diaper and both of them keep hugging me and kissing me and then putting me to sleep. I need to ask for a laptop in my room.

So anyway, Hurray! I'm 10 weeks old. I know that because I've been counting on my fingers... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next week.. start counting my toes I suppose. I need to ask for a dry-erase board. Then I can chew on the markers. Markers are yummy!

This week Mommy took me for a nice walk, It was cold so I had my reindeer outfit on. I also got a nice massage afterwards. Mommy is so nice to me! Tee Hee!

I'm starting to get over my shots and so I'm not as fussy as I have been. My pediatrician prescribed me Zantac to help with what appears to be heartburn/acid reflux. Mommy also started giving me Vitamin drops. They're yummers!

And now, for quotes:

"A man is never as tall as when he kneels to help a child"
- Knights of Pythagoras

The 9th Week, Part Duex

2007-11-16T15:00:00.000-05:00

The exciting conclusion to Week #9. Hurray!

After very careful consideration, I've come to the conclusion that I don't like shots.
Not only did I end up with a fever slightly over 101, but my legs (where they put the shots) were sore for a couple of days. But that's not uncommon. I got some baby Tylenol and was a little better, but still much more fussy than usual, and that's saying a lot! I didn't even feel like eating too much. Daddy didn't come home on time either since it was Thursday and that meant it was D&D night. Mommy had a very long, very bad night. Tis boo. Still no test results. Hopefully next week.

The 9th Week, Part One

2007-11-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

This week so much happened, I need to make it a 2-parter. How exciting!! That's Drama!

My 2 month old birthday was this week, on 11/15. I wanted a cake, but instead I got shot.
Well, actually, I got shot several times. Diphtheria, tetanus, DTP, HIB, and a bunch of other shots with TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms) like OPV/IPV (Polio). A lot of people are against babies getting shots because they can cause autism and stuff.. but there's no real proof of that. Millions, if not Billions, of babies get shots, but the entire child population doesn't have autism. I think some babies are prone to it, and some aren't. Its the old (genes x environment) argument. Same for breastfeeding vs formula. Some evidence suggests that babies with certain genes may become smarter (up to 8 IQ points) if given breast milk instead of formula. If you don't have the right set of genes though, the breast milk won't do make you smarter. For me, I don't care about any of that. I just think Mommy's milk is yummier.

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We will return to "Days of Drake's Life" in just a moment...

To thank Mommy for all her hard work and dedication, I smiled at her all on my own. That seemed to be reward enough. We went to Potomac Mills mall and Daddy bought me a reindeer outfit in which I'm sure to be cute in.

And now, a word from our sponsor...
Blogger. Anyone can blog... even a baby.

And now, back to the show...
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Concerning my issues from last week, the doctor ordered a UGI. Yes, more TLAs. Doctor's (and gamers) love 'em. Anyway, An Upper Gastronomic Intestinal test is where they make me drink barium and watch it all go down. Mommy and Daddy were with me for this important test. I was pretty good, considering. I only cried near the end. The table was uncomfortable after a while. And just because I think its neat, here's some pics from the UGI.

What do these pictures reveal? Did anything happen from getting the shots? What lies ahead for our intrepid hero? Tune in next week... Same Blog Time... Same Blog Channel!

8 Weeks old

2007-11-09T14:00:00.000-05:00

A: This has NOT been a good week. I've been especially fussy lately. Usually I'm only fussy in the evening but lately it's been lasting all day. Mommy and Daddy are concerned. Mommy determined that I had thresh and so the doctor gave us medicine for it. It was really icky and I screamed and screamed. Thankfully she only made me take it for a day or two. While wondering what to do about me, Daddy suggested to stop giving me the medicine since it obviously wasn't working, and was actually kinda ouchy. Mommy agreed. We went to the doctor the next day on 11/8 and it turns out I didn't have thresh after all. Since they don't know what it is, they just call it "colic". I needed to get a blood test done for my jaundice, which isn't too unusual at my age. Results from that next week.

B: I'm growing. A lot. I have excellent head control and I can grasp objects like nobody's business! I weigh 10.4 lbs now. My skin is still a bit yellow though.

C: I can track things vertically now. Isn't that cool? I also know when Mommy or Daddy are nearby, after a while anyway. I like to smile at them.

How about some a quote to pass the time?

"Children always want to look behind mirrors"
- Jospeh Joubert

7 weeks old

2007-11-02T14:00:00.000-04:00

What a busy busy week!! I can't wait to share everything! Here goes!!

A: Infant playing consists of quieting in the first month, smiling in the second, and squeaking in the third. Since I'm in my second, I like smiling. I also like interacting with other people.

B: Some babies at my age sleep slightly less than 9 hours a day, whereas other babies sleep nearly 16 hours a day. This variation is likely due to temperament, environment, and biological needs. I average around 12 or 13 hours or so, possibly more if I'm experiencing a growth spurt. Much of this sleep time is due to the cradle swing.. it's so comfy!! I've started reaching, though I'm not sure if this is a reflex or not yet. I need to take better notes of such milestones. Weight wise I'm gaining about half a pound a week, more or less. I still can't weigh myself yet so I'm not sure. My head's increased by about 1/2 an inch though. So much for the tiny infant hats I used to wear. I don't like hats anyway. bleh!

C: I can finally recognize Mommy and Daddy's faces about now! I react to them most favorably, whereas I might frown or grimace at a stranger's. No offense strangers... don' take it personally. I have a lot of head and leg control now. I can hold my head up for a really long time, and it only wobbles a little bit, which is why Daddy calls me a weeble wobble. I have no idea what a Weeble Wobble is though. A baby bobble head would make more sense. When my diaper gets changed or I'm playing on my gym, I can hold my legs up for several seconds at a time. It makes diaper changing much more difficult though, tee hee. My eyesight is improving rapidly. I have somewhere between 20/300 and 20/800 vision right now. What does that mean? I'm glad you asked. Normal sight is considered to be 20/20. So, I can see at 20 inches what a normal person can see at 300-800 inches away. Speaking of looking at things, I share daddy's preference for aesthetics. I like bright, high contrast object's with sharp, not soft, edges and bright flat surfaces over softer textured ones. I can sorta kinda in a way turn my head towards the object, though such movement is slow and my eyes move slower than my head, causing me to look like I have "doll eyes". And if all that wasn't enough, I am beginning to produce slightly different sounds that will soon form the basis of consonant and vowels.

---

I met Sandy and Lolly on Sat 10/27. They're the ones that helped setup my baby shower. They're great! Mommy also went to Samhain and was gone for nearly 5 whole hours!! That's the longest she's ever been away from me, aside from me sleeping in the other room. When she came back Daddy went to a Halloween party at Georgia's, but he didn't wear a costume. What a party pooper!

The next day was my first trip out to Babies R Us. Another first was visiting Gary and Amy. I was a big hit with their kids Maddie (8 months) and Stephen (2.5 yrs). Daddy took a great picture of the three of us, avail on mommy's blog site.

Monday Mommy wrapped me up in this wrap thingy that she had got from Babies R Us. She liked it a lot. Much better than the previous harness thingy that made me too warm.

Tuesday Mommy had her post-birth 6-week appt with Dr Fegley. She's all fine!

Hurray! My first Halloween. Mommy dressed me as a pumpkin. (Actually, she still does). I had a lot of fun playing on my gym, and Mommy took me for a good walk to the pond.

On Nov 1 Mommy got her flu shot, and then the three of us went out to lunch. I think the sign said Noodles, but since I can't read I'm not sure. I didn't order anything because I'm just an infant.

6 weeks old

2007-10-26T14:00:00.000-04:00

So here I am at 6 weeks old. Time sure flies by. Especially since I actually started posting this on Dec 1, and after days of fussing I can finally finish it tonight on 12/5. So the listed post date is when I was supposed to have written something, not when I actually did. I'm such a cheater!
tee hee!

A: Mommy took me to Daddy's work on Friday to show me off. Naturally I was a big hit in my Whelping outfit. Mommy has pictures on her blog. Go check them out! Also, I can't wait to play Daddy's game! We also went to the DMV a few days prior so Mommy could register her car.

B: I can roll part way to my side. I'm not sure how useful this is, but its fun! weeeeeeee! This week I've gained somewhere around 5 ounces, +/- 3. Since I can't weigh myself, I'm not sure the exact number. OHH! I almost forgot. I can totally smile now! And not just when I pee. I'm soo cute! I'm sleeping slightly longer during the night, usually.. but some nights I'm just fussy. I dunno why. It's not easy being only 6 weeks old ya know.

C: I can make other sounds besides crying. Thus far I've picked up cooing and other misc sounds. I hope to one day achieve mommy's playful scare sound, "eeeeep!" I respond to Daddy pretty readily because he interacts with me a lot too. In my copious (I realize I'm only 6 weeks old, but I can still use big words like copious...) spare time, I've decided to develop "binoclarity" (now thats a big word!), which is the ability of the brain to blend the image from each eye into a single image. This way I can see Mommy better.... she's so pretty!

5 weeks old

2007-10-19T14:00:00.000-04:00

A: The three of us went out for dinner for the first time on 10/13. We ended up at California Tortilla. Dairy queen was being too slow and CT was right next door. I was going to order a burrito since I keep hearing that I am one, but then I fell asleep. We ended up going to DQ for dessert though.

On 10/14, I had my first real outing (beyond a short walk around the block) with just Mommy. We went to Wendy's and then her favorite store, Best Buy.

On 10/15, my 1 month birthday (no, I didn't get any cake or presents or anything... tis boo), Mommy took me to Barnes and Noble to buy a baby book. Since I can't read I don't know what it's called, but I'm sure it's something related to taking care of me. Naturally I was a huge hit. Why all these women would want to read books instead of look at me all day is something I don't quite understand.

B: I've started to get some acne, especially on my face. While this is normal, no one knows what really causes it. Mommy and Daddy have decided to give me even MORE baths as a result. yuck! On an unrelated note, I've started spitting up a lot more than usual. This is what we call "foreshadowing". Speaking of foreshadowing, I've been sleeping a bit less during the day. Unfortunately, I've not been sleeping longer at night yet. 2 more months to go for that. (yet more foreshadowing... see? I'm a literary expert!)

C: Since my vision is VERY nearsighted right now (I can only see like, 6" or 8" or whatever in front of me.. I'm not quite sure... I must've left my ruler in the womb I guess. Mommy has a ruler but she hasn't let me play with it yet. I can however notice light sources and walls. Walls are fascinating.

And now, for quotes:

To heir is human.
- Dolores E. McGuire

Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething.
- Mark Twain

4 weeks old

2007-10-12T14:00:00.000-04:00

A: Looking around is fun. I find walls fascinating. I was looking at the wall the other --
(oohhh pretty crib mobile! <reaches for mobile>)

B: Grasping objects is neat. Especially daddy's finger. I'm careful not to pull it though, tee hee! My tear ducts are working now, but it breaks mommy's heart to see them work. Lifting my head is easy since I have a very strong neck.

C: Bright Light! Bright Light! Thank goodness these eye lids work now. Did you know its easier for me to track objects horizontally (left and right) than vertically (up and down). I guess that makes me a land predator. Sheep beware!! WRAAAAR!

Congratulations to the Bales. Avalon Eden Bales was born 10/9/2007 at 8:03pm. She weighed 8 lbs and measured 20.25 inches long.

In celebrity news, Traci Lords had her son, whom she named Jospeh Gunner.

Week 3 : 9/29 - 10/5

2007-10-05T14:00:00.000-04:00

A: Well, I seemed to be more awake and alert this 3rd week than the previous 2 weeks. I can also roll onto my side if I want to. On 10/4 I had my first bath (Prior bathings were simple sponge baths). Daddy was concerned about the water temp so it was too cold for me. And there wasn't enough of it. I shivered and shivered and shivered. Brrrrrr! In protest I decided to pee on Mommy. I slept pretty good that night though. Mommy wants to give me a bath every day now.. tee hee. With all the slobbering and spit up I'm doing, that might not be such a bad idea.

B: I don't seem to have a birthmark yet. Not sure if I'll get one or not. Daddy still has one on his inner left ankle, a good 3 or 4 inches in diameter. Maybe I don't have a birthmark because I was hatched, like a Dragon? Or maybe I do have a birthmark and I just don't know yet. After all, my eyes can only focus on things that are about 6 or 8 inches away, and I can't focus on them for more than a second or three. There's no baby scale here but I've probably gained about 5 or so ounces.

C: I can discriminate between odors now! Good thing my diapers don't stink! Tee Hee! I've discovered that I prefer regular lights over bright or dim ones. Since I can literally sleep through anything, including Daddy's sneezes (which are mighty), he almost thought my hearing wasn't developing naturally.. but when I hear a loud, unfamiliar sound I stop whatever I'm doing and twitch just like I should, so my responses to sounds seems to be OK.. I'm just a deep sleeper, which is good.
I can recognize Mommy and Daddy's voice, and naturally I prefer them over the voice of strangers. Except when Daddy sings. Then I fall asleep so I don't have to listen to it anymore. It's horrible. American Idol Horrible.

Month 1 AD: 9/15-9/12

2007-09-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

Hurray!!! Month 1 AD (After Drake) is finally being posted.
I know I'm like, 5 weeks late, but its hard to type with such tiny fingers. That and Mommy and Daddy keep putting me in my crib instead of a computer chair. How Rude! That's OK, I can just backdate the posted date. Aren't I sneaky? Now that they're sleeping, I can sneak in some computer time. I told ya I was sneaky! tee hee!

AD (After Drake) blog posts will be organized such that my development will be categorized for easier reading. It's as easy as knowing your ABC's!

(A) Anything Else - Stuff that isn't covered by B or C.
(B) Body Development - This part explains my Physical changes.
(C) Cognitive Development - This part explains my Mental changes.

And now, for Quotes!

"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one"
- Leo J. Burke

"A baby is the most complicated object made by unskilled labor"
- Anonymous

"The beginning is the most important part of the work"
-Plato

"Little Children disturb your sleep, big ones your life"
- Yiddish Proverb

"Sufficient unto the day is one baby. As long as you are in your right mind, don't you ever pray for twins. Twins amount to a permanent riot; and there ain't any real difference between triplets and an insurrection"
- Mark Twain

"Yes, having a child is surely the most beautifully irrational act that two people in love can commit"
- Bill Cosby

DC Baby

2007-09-29T14:00:00.001-04:00

Today we all drove around DC. Since my immunity system is still fairly immature, I wasn't allowed out of the car. So Mommy stayed with me while Daddy and Grandpa and Grandma B visited the Washington Monument. It was closed, but they got close enough for a picture.

Back to work :(

2007-09-28T14:00:00.000-04:00

Daddy went back to work today. Tis Boo. Grandma wasn't feeling too well so we all just hung out at home. I think Sebastian, the dog, wants to lick me over and over again. I don't think I'd care for that at this time, but maybe after a few years. I'm not sure why they call him baby 'bastian tho. *I'm* The baby now!

Grandpa and Grandma B visit, and a checkup.

2007-09-27T14:00:00.000-04:00

Grandpa and Grandma "B" (from Mommy's side) arrived a few nights ago to come visit me! Hurray! I'm like, famous! Thursday was my 2 week checkup with the pediatrician. A piece of my umbilical cord fell off at pretty much exactly 10 days of age, but some of it still was stuck inside my belly button. The Doc cleaned it and did all kinds of checks. I'm in very good health and all things are normal. She held me up and I "Walk-Peddled" which was to test my reflexes. I did great! My stats are currently:

12 days old.
20" long (I grew an inch already! goooooooo me!)
7lbs 6oz. Its good thats I've gained weight since birth.
Head circumference: 13.5". This is VERY important for determining hat size.

In other news, we went for a short walk around the block. Daddy had some camera trouble, but managed to snap this pic of me, Mommy, and Grandpa and Grandma B.

Playtime Gym

2007-09-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

Grandma Left today. Tis Boo. :( I hope to see here again real soon!

Being a baby is tiring. Eating consumes a significant amount of my awake time. The rest of my awake time is spent changing clothes while getting my diaper changed, listening to Daddy sing (badly) TV theme songs to try and calm down my fussiness, and Mommy cuddling me. Oh, and I have a cool gym thing that I can play in. Its fun! (For about 2 mins, then I fall back asleep).

Sleeping like.. umm.. a baby

2007-09-23T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not always fussy. Just often. Most of the time I sleep. Aren't I adorable? Tee Hee!

Happy Birthday!!!

2007-09-22T11:08:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to me!
Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeee!
Happy Birthday to me!

It's my One-week old birthday!!! Hurray!

Ummm.. what do you mean birthday's are only celebrated once A YEAR?? What lazy poor slacker decided that? So no presents? No cake? No party? What a scam! In protest of this travesty, I think I will poop.

In other news, my foot was finally imprinted.

The Zoo

2007-09-21T14:00:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Daddy were taking 4 hour shifts. One of them would sleep in the bedroom for 4 hours while the other would stay with me in the nursery. Then they'd switch. It worked out OK for Daddy but wasn't very good for Mommy. Now all three of us sleep in the bedroom so when I get fussy everybody wakes up. I am sleeping a little bit better though. Sometimes Mommy, Daddy, or Grandma will hold me in the living room for a while, which is nice.

There's this big black dog (part lab, part chow) named Sebastian that wants to smell me and lick me every time I make a noise. I'm sure he's trying to be helpful, he just doesn't know how. When I get bigger him and I will have a lot of fun playing together. Gwynn, The German Shepard / Husky mix, is being very well behaved, as usual.

The 2 cats don't even seem to notice or react to me at all. All Khayman wants is a lap.

Zzzzzzzzzzz

2007-09-20T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sleepy... Zzzzzzz

(Please note my sleeping position on the left. The position of my arm is identical to how my great grammie slept. I'm sure she's looking over me from the heavens)

YAR Matey!

2007-09-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

Tis a fine day to be a pirate, ARRRRRRR! Even a baby pirate, ARRRRR!

Avast ye land lubbers! Ye best be swabbin that thar poop deck mighty fine or else ye find yourself walking da plank and sharing Davey Jones' locker, ARRRR!

Avast! We're under attack! Cannon shot! Cannon shot! We've had a blowout! Batton down the hatches! Secure the riggin! We're in fer a storm, that's fer sure. Tis ain't room here for the feint of heart ye yellow bellied scallywags! Savy?

Here comes Grandma

2007-09-19T01:30:00.000-04:00

(Sung to the tune of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain")

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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

Grandma will be coming to visit very soon,
She'll be coming to visit very soon,
She'll be coming soon to visit,
She'll be coming soon to visit,
She'll be coming to visit very soon...

She'll be driving a really cool van when she comes,
She'll be driving a really cool van when she comes,
She'll be driving a really cool van,
She'll be driving a really cool van,
She'll be driving a really cool van when she comes...

She'll be giving me lots of hugs when she comes,
She'll be giving me lots of hugs when she comes,
She'll be giving me lots of hugs,
She'll be eiving me lots of hugs,
She'll be giving me lots of hugs when she comes...

She'll be giving me lots of kisses when she comes,
She'll be giving me lots of kisses when she comes,
She'll be giving me lots of kisses,
She'll be giving me lots of kisses,
She'll be giving me lots of kisses when she comes.
-----
Hurray! I can't wait to see my Grandma!

Day 3

2007-09-18T10:44:00.000-04:00

It's me!!! Aren't I adorable!!!

Mommy and me on a stroll. I have some jaundice so they thought it would be a good idea to take me on a stroll and get me some sun. Whatever.

Daddy and Me on the same stroll. I Like my stroller. It's full of awesomeness.

Being a baby is tiring, thus my yawning.

Mommy and Me, cute as a pair of buttons.

Pictures, Part Deux

2007-09-17T16:18:00.000-04:00

More pics from the hospital checkout and taking home.

First Pics

2007-09-16T00:31:00.000-04:00

In order to protest the displeasure of my new environment, I have decided to be fussy and not allow any good pictures of me to be taken. Ninner Ninner Ninner.

Annoucement

2007-09-16T00:08:00.000-04:00

Here's the announcement Daddy sent. I love him, but c'mon Dad! Maybe it's good I wasn't born on Talk Like A Pirate Day!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hear Ye, Hear Ye,

Let it be known throughout the land that from the divine depths of the boundless beyond comes at long last to the Nicholson Nuthouse a gift most grand. Welcome to the world

Drake Asher Roland Nicholson

born Saturday, September 15th, 2007 at 11:08am EST, weighing 7lbs 3.2 oz with a length of 19".

Lo and behold peasants and nobles, tis among the true that my mother and me are both doing very well. May we all bathe within his majesty glow.

The regal website shall soon be updated with more pictures than just the attached:

-------------------------
Then he attached my pic to the email announcement. HI EVERYONE!

Labor: Day 3: Birth

2007-09-15T12:03:00.000-04:00

Light. I see light at the end of the tunnel! Glory be, I CAN SEE THE LIGHT!
Oh wait, that's just a piece of digested McDonalds. My bad.

Anyway, I remember my birth as though it were yesterday :)

Mommy was unable to stand the back pain anymore, so her and Daddy went to the hospital again around 1am on Saturday morning, 9/15/07. We were admitted and Mommy was given an I.V. for fluids and some pain medication, which helped her a lot. At this point she was only 2 or 3 cm dilated but completely thinned. Sorry Daddy. I'm too squished in here to wait until National Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sep 19th). Besides, it's Saturday and I hear there's some good cartoons on.

As soon as possible, Mommy wanted an Epidural, and from then on things went very smooth. She was eventually given some Pitocin in order to help along the dilation. Around 1045am or so on Saturday Mommy was ready to begin a few pushing exercises. She did so well though, the doctor was very impressed how how much I moved with each push and after only 15 or 20 mins of actual delivery time (about 5 or 6 sets of pushes) I came out quick and easy, thanks to the episiotomy the doc performed earlier.

Umm someone put me back in. Quick. This is weird. Its WAY too bright, cold, and open for me. Oh well, at least now I am officially a baby. Whoooo Hoooooo! Go me! I made it!

Labor: Day 2

2007-09-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Friday was not a good day for Mommy. She had severe back pains all day long... every 5 mins or less she'd have a contraction that lasted nearly a minute.

Daddy officially started his paternity leave from work today and vacuumed the house in preparation for my arrival in addition to making Mommy as comfortable as possible. He rubbed her back a lot, drew her a bath, and setup a heating pad, all of which had varying degrees of temporary reduction, but not elimination, of the back pain.

At 130pm Mommy had her weekly doctor appointment. Naturally I was the star the show with excellent ratings in all my tests. Mommy was 90% thinned and still only 1cm dilated. The doc recommended Tylenol PM (tm) and gave us a prescription for Ambien (A sleep aid). She took some Ambien (tm) for it, but that only allowed her to sleep for about an hour or so.

Her back pain continued through the day and well into the evening, preventing her from sleeping for more than 5 mins at a time, even with the medicine. It ain't exactly no picnic for me in here either. It's like I'm surfing without a board. Wave after wave of contraction keeps hitting me, forcing me to move a little bit further towards...Towards.... TOWARDS....

Labor: Day 1

2007-09-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

It all started on Thursday 9/13/07. Daddy was at work playing D&D. Mommy started getting some back aches. Since she had been working all day she figured the back pains were from sitting in her computer chair all afternoon. Later in the evening she got some frontal cramping. Daddy got home and read some paperwork that mentioned back pain may be a sign of contractions. Walking didn't help, but they were difficult to time due to the pain being in the back or the front. They seemed to last about 55 secs, +/-5 secs and where usually 3 or 5 mins apart but sometimes longer or shorter. They didn't seem to be getting stronger or weaker, but the pain was somewhat intolerable. Poor Mommy. I wish I could give her a hug.

About 4am on Friday 9/14/07 the pain was too much for Mommy to sleep, and Daddy wanted to know if the contractions were being timed accurately and how dilated Mommy was. Daddy called the doc and she said we could go to the hospital so we all did. Turns out Mommy was only 80% thinned and had dilated a mere 1cm. That's not enough space for me to go through!

Week 37: Day 253 - 259

2007-09-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well this week was super special! Mommy's Birthday was on 9/7. I didn't want to steal her thunder though so I'll wait a while longer before being born. I'd sing, but there's no air in here and my lungs are full of amniotic fluid. Maybe I'll produce a surfacant that will keep my lung sacs open. That would be good. I'm so happy for her I would cry, but my tear ducts won't work for a couple of weeks.

Did you know that Mommy's uterus is so strong it can apply a force of 55 pounds of force each contraction? That should be enough, me thinks.

Did you know the average umbilical cord is 2 feet long? But it can be as short as 5 inches or as long as 5 feet! Wow!

Week 36: Day 246 - 252

2007-09-05T15:00:00.000-04:00

So, like, I'm getting all this meconium. Why I need all this waste stuff from my liver, pancreas, and gall bladder I don't really know. I'm not even sure why it's dark green. I just know I have to store it until birth, at which point I can expel it all (much to the dismay of Mommy and Daddy). Coincidentally, my toenails have reached the tips of my toes. Speaking of limbs, mine are squished! There isn't too much room to move in here, so Mommy is feeling me move a little less.
Well anyway, I'm about 6lbs and 13 3/8 in long. Poor mommy is feeling a little achy, but otherwise is doing good, although her energy is somewhat low. Still no contractions though. Toodles!

Week 35: Day 239 - 245

2007-08-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

Did you know that 85% of babies are born within 2 weeks of their due date? That's RIGHT NOW! So if I was born today, I'd have a 85%, which is a good, solid B. Go Me! I also had another non-stress test this week, like I'll have every week from now on. Of course I passed with flying colors! Many of my bones are still mostly cartilage, which makes me more flexible and thus will help during delivery. Another thing that happened this week was...
ooh pretty light... must turn towards the light...
Doh, sorry about that. It's an automatic response, I can't help it. I'm sensitive to light and will usually turn towards it. My temperature hovers at around 32 deg above Mommy's. Wow!

Mommy had her weekly sonogram on 8/27. Everything looks great, but that's because everyone was looking at me! Tee Hee! My weight is supposedly 6lbs, 14oz, which puts me at around 8lbs if I'm born on the due date. Mommy's regular doc appointment was on 8/29 and again, I did GREAT! IN fact, the term used was, and I quote, "perfect". Mommy's cervical lining is 50% thinned. She has no dilation and her blood pressure is good.

Place your bets now! Leave a comment with how much you think I'll weigh and how long I'll be at birth! Thanks!

Week 34: Day 232 - 238

2007-08-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

Ummm, excuse me?? Hello! Can I get a little more room in here. I'm beginning to get squished!
(sigh) Don't these people realize that I've been developing for 33 weeks? I'd come out now but neither Mommy or I are quite ready yet. My gastrointestinal tract isn't fully developed yet (and won't be until I'm around 3 or 4 years old). Mommy's metabolism rate has increased by 25% though, so that helps with converting and storing the nutrients I need for energy. Fat is being stored under my skin so that I can better regulate my body temperature and use it as a source of energy immediately after birth. This week showed about an 8% increase in white fat. Go Me! Only 7% more to go. Also, my limbs now have tiny dimples at the elbows and knees and my gums are fairly ridged.

Well, no more somersaults for me. I can still turn a bit and wiggle, but I can't flip over anymore. No more room. Tis Boo. Otherwise, this was a pretty boring week. C-ya!

Week 33: Day 225 - 230

2007-08-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well well well.. THIS was quite the little exciting week. All kinds of things happened. Some happy, some scary. Uh oh! Let's dive right in! SPLASH!

I weigh about 4.5 lbs and measure around 12 inches long. Any jokes comparing me to a foot or a ruler will cause me to giggle! tee hee!

Mommy's blood volume increased from about 17 cups to around 21 cups. That's a lot of blood! I haven't decided if I wanna drop yet or not. I mean, it's enticing, but then I'll be squished, and I don't care to be squished. Unless its a hug from Grandma. She can squish me all she likes. :)

Mommy went to her normal doc visit and guess what?!?!? CHICKEN BUTT! HAHAHAHAH
I don't get it either, but Mommy thinks its funny. Anyway, during this routine office visit and non-stress test it turns out Mommy was HAVING CONTRACTIONS!!! OHHH the drama!!

Mommy didn't even feel the contractions. She was admitted to the labor & delivery room where she called Daddy at work. Mommy didn't even feel the contractions, and she wasn't dilated at all, so he stayed at work and Mommy stayed in the hospital until the doc could figure out what was going on. Can't blame me, I didn't do anything! This is the first time Mommy had ever been admitted into a hospital before. They didn't have enough beds so they had her sit in the kitchen. Poor Mommy! Anyway, they gave her some shots to stop the contractions. The contractions were reduced but not eliminated, and she was sent home on STRICT BED-REST! Well, this was on Friday, and the Baby Shower was Sat, and family and friends were in town, so didn't actually get bed rest until Sunday. Tis Boo. I'll make a completely separate blog post about the shower. It was that awesome!

On Monday, Mommy went back to the doc and everything turned out being OK. Whew!

Baby Shower Loot List

2007-08-11T16:00:00.000-04:00

Baby Shower

2007-08-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

[Breaks Into Song]
Happy Baby Shower to me!
Happy Baby Shower to me!
Happy Baby Shower to Drakey!
This baby shower is for me!
[End Song]

I'm SOOOO happy about my baby shower. I know, I know, it's technically Mommy's baby shower but all the great gifts are because of me!!! Tee Hee!!

Before I get to the loot list, I'd like to personally thank Lolly and Sandy for putting the entire shower together. It was fantastic.

I'd like to give a bark out to Gwynn who wasn't feeling well and Daddy had to take to the vet, apparently from a cocklebur in her ear. It ended up not being that, so hopefully she'll be OK.

I'd also like to thank Grandma for her appearance, dedication, and generosity. Most of the nursery furniture is thanks to her, and she made this great Diaper Cake. So Awesome! She felt me move several times too. Cool huh?

Lastly, a special hug for Dianne who left her family alone for 2 whole days and flew here all the way from Texas just to celebrate me! I'm SOOO Special! Tee Hee! Since Mommy was doctor ordered to bed rest, Dianne led the way with the cleaning of the house and directed Daddy's cleaning duties. She also helped Grandma with the diaper cake. All her efforts are well appreciated!

And now, on with the loot (Next Post)!

Lunar Month 9: Week 33 - 36

2007-08-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well here we are, finally, at lunar month 8. But like I said at the beginning, most people think that a normal pregnancy is 9 months, and that's somewhat misleading. It may be about 9 Calendar months, but that's not the calendar I've been using in this blog. I've been using the Lunar Calendar, which is makes a lot more sense. A Lunar Month is the 28 day period between a particular cycle of the moon. The current calendar used by most of the world is stupid. So there.

I am now entering my 9th LUNAR month. That's 9 x 4 which is 36 weeks. Normal full term for a human is about 40 weeks, although birthing anytime after 36 weeks is considered OK. I'm mostly done developing, I just have to wait until Mommy is ready and then figure out where to go. Too bad there's no womb GPS or something.

And now, quotes:

"Children don't have to be raised. They'll grow."
- Buffy Sainte-Marie

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever You call it, whoever you are, you need one."
- Jane Howard

"A child's education should begin at least 100 years before he is born."
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

"The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day."
- O. A. Battista

Week 32: Day 218 - 224

2007-08-08T15:00:00.000-04:00

This week was pretty neat!

Let's see.. Not only did I grow half an inch, but Sara Gilbert had her daughter, Sawyer. My eyes are now opening while I'm awake and closing when I sleep. Which isn't often as Mommy can attest! I'm always moving around dancing the Baby Boogie! Since I don't have final pigmentation though, my eyes are currently blue. Another neat thing is that my fingernails have reached the ends of my fingertips, making them longer than Daddy's! (He bites his way too much, poor Daddy). Also neat is that if I was born right now, I'm mature enough to survive the outside world. Although I look forward to open air, it's too warm and cozy in here, so I'll wait a little longer. tee hee!

So ends the 32nd week of pregnancy. Only 1 more month (or so) to go. Woot!

Week 31: Day 211 - 217

2007-08-01T15:00:00.000-04:00

We had a doctor appointment and I passed the non-stress test with FLYING colors. Like, a rainbow kite! Also had a sonogram. I'm about 11 3/8 inches long and weigh 4 lbs 1 oz now and so I'm right on target. Awesomeness!

My skin has changed color from dark red to pinkish. I DEMAND MORE PROTEIN and FAT! OK, I don't demand it... but it would be very nice. Ice cream cake for everyone!! Whoo Hoo!

The Placenta contains every enzyme known to exist except ACTH. That means the placenta can play a role in any endocrine function. What's a endocrine function you may ask? No idea. Sorry.
In other cool facts, the amniotic fluid has reached its maximum volume. That means as I grow there will be less fluid and more movement being felt.

In celebrity news, Nicole Richie (daughter of Lionel Richie) announces her (not so secret) pregnancy. I personally think she only got pregnant because its become a fad.

Day 212: Sonogram Day

2007-07-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

One of Mommy's favorite times is sonogram day.
Here I am, in all my wonderous glory.

Here's my face. Pretty good pic, though I say so myself!

Could someone lend me a hand? Oh wait, I have 2 of my own. Never mind. Tee Hee. Sometimes I am just here to amuse myself!

Week 30: Day 204 - 210

2007-07-25T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well, time's flying by! I only have about 10 weeks left for full term. Since more stuff is going on with Mommy than me right now, most updates will probably be more about her than me.

For example, all 5 of my senses are now functioning. Of course, there's no air in here so my sense of smell is somewhat useless right now. My brain has increased in size by about 3/8 inch. Lastly, my toenails have fully formed. And that's about it this week.

As I get bigger Mommy has been getting somewhat short of breath and she's showing more and more each week. Check out her blog for pics. She's also a lot more tired and is starting to get some stronger food preferences.

In Celebrity news, Jenna Elfman had her son, Elias, and Naomi Watts gave birth to Alexander Pete.

Week 29: Day 197 - 203

2007-07-18T15:00:00.000-04:00

Last month was the big cliff hanger.. Does Mommy have Gestational Diabetes or not? Well, I'm happy to report that she does not. That means no more yummy sugary drinks for me, but its great news for her. Go Mommy!

I am back to my normal size now. For a little while I was slightly above average but currently my "Crown to Rump" measurement is slightly over 10 inches and I weigh around 2.25 lbs. SO I'm back on track now. With only 2 months left to go, I best start gaining some weight though . But not too much, right Mommy? :)

Mommy and Daddy took a childbirth prep class on Sat. 7-14-07. Apparently I don't come with an instruction manual so they need to learn how to take care of me. All I really need are hugs and kisses!! Tee Hee!

Lunar Month 8

2007-07-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

This is the BEST LUNAR MONTH EVER!!!!
It's like when you go on a roller coaster and go up and up and up and up and then whoooosh down really really really fast and then around and around and then zoooom through a tunnel and then they take your picture -click- but you don't know it and then you go up one more little hill and cruise the rest of the way so you can enjoy the rest of the ride as you reflect the roller coaster you were just on. Sometimes you even want to get back on the ride again. Well, that's what this month is all about. Cruise Control.

I'm pretty much all set at this point. Oh, I still have some growing to do, but I'm pretty handsome right now already. Just look at my sonogram! Tee Hee.

Now it's Mommy's turn to prepare. So far she's had a really easy pregnancy (Thanks to me! Tee Hee!). Hopefully Lunar Month 8 will be just as easy.

And now, the part you've all been waiting for... Quotable Quotes!

"Give a child wings so that they may soar, give them roots so that they may land."
- Roland D. Steedlam

"List of parental requirements: Affection without sentiment, authority without cruelty, discipline without aggression, humor without ridicule, sacrifice without obligation, companionship without possessiveness."
- William E. Blatz

"The rich don't have children; they have heirs."
- Peter C. Newman

Week 28: Day 190 - 196

2007-07-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

My brain is very powerful. How powerful? It's SOOO powerful that its begun to wrinkle due to rapid growth. This is known as convollution. Can you say "Con-Vo-Lew-Shun" boys and girls? I knew you could. Thanks to convolution, my brain contains more brain cells than a smooth brain otherwise could. Which is weird, I know. Wouldn't there be more space in a smooth brain? Oh, and just in case you wanted to know, my bone marrow is now completely responsible for making my red blood cells. Awesomeness!!

As I mentioned a while ago, I'm still in the middle of myelinization, which is a fatty substance that coats my cells and makes them go faster. Most of the hair on my body (Lanugo... Can you say Lan-You-Go boys and girls? I knew you could!) has disappeared. It's likely my toenails and head hair (if any) are visible now.

Well, that about wraps up Lunar Month 7. Stay tuned next month for an exciting new series of trials, tribulations, and triumph! Same baby time! Same baby channel!

Week 27: Day 183 - 189

2007-07-04T15:00:00.000-04:00

Mommy and Daddy saw me again in a sonogram, but all that work from last week made me kinda tired. Since I was so sleepy, I put my arms over my eyes and head as I'm trying to sleep just like Daddy does! The nurse tried to get a 3-D face pic of me, which would have been cool, but because my hands were in the way she couldn't. :( Mommy didn't tell me this was gonna happen and so I didn't know about it. Maybe if she would have asked before hand I would have obliged and provided a good pose. I'm a good baby that way... so unfortunately, no 3-d pic :(

This week I added more fat under my skin, which made my skin a bit smoother. This is white fat, which is stored energy I can use later on. Never know when I'm gonna start moving and kicking!

Probably unrelated, I've noticed that I am more sensitive to light, sound, taste, and smell. My sense of touch is already working pretty well too! I can move my eyeballs around in their sockets, which is a very weird feeling.

Mommy had her 2nd Glucose test. It was 3 hours long!! Poor Mommy. But that sugary stuff is yummers! She also had her blood drawn 4 times! And she had to get up early for all this torture too! If that wasn't bad enough, Daddy forgot to pick her up afterward and she had to sit around for another 20 mins! (Her car was in the shop for A/C repairs) Daddy! How Rude! Don't worry Mommy, I won't forget it. After I get my license I'll offer to drive Daddy somewhere and be 20 mins late. Tee Hee!

In celebrity news, Christina Aguilera is pregnant and Sarah McLachlan had her baby.

Week 26 : Day 176 - 184

2007-06-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Whoooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo!
Sugar RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSH!
Mommy had a yummy orange sugar test and WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO it was so tasty that my eyelids un-fused and opened up. I also have some eyelashes and I can respond to different amounts of light and darkness.

It sure is kinda dark in here.

Unfortunately she failed the test and she needs to take another one, this time for 3 whole hours. (Shhhhhh! Don't tell her I messed up the test just so I could get some more yummy orange sugar drink. tee hee!)

I finally finished my lungs on 6/26. Now I can breathe "air", whatever THAT is. So if anything happens I have a pretty good chance at survival from this point forward.
In prep for that though I need to build up some baby fat. So far I've got about 2 or 3% body fat by now, but I'm trying to store more. Anyway, now my brain can control my breathing and body temperature. As a result if I was born today, I wouldn't likely have to be plugged into a machine. I'm "Viable" now.

I'm about 10" long and I weigh around 2 lbs and 12oz. Mommy loves watching me move her belly :)

In celebrity news, Courtney Thorne-Smith is expecting.

Week 25: Day 169 - 175

2007-06-20T15:00:00.000-04:00

I think everyone should have a goal. Even a fetus. Therefore I will strive to grow at least half an inch this week. The amniotic sac grows too, so that's convenient. Among the things to grow are my brain and lungs. Still have a lot of work to do, but I'll make it! In fact, my brain wave patterns are already similar to that of a normal, fully developed baby. Keen! Just to make sure Mommy doesn't forget I'm here, I've decided to kick her, gently of course, at least 5 times an hour. I would do more, but I'm not sure what comes after 5. That way she knows I'm all right. Unfortunately I'm kicking her bladder, which she doesn't appreciate, but I can't do much about where she decided to put her things. I'm even starting to push up against her diaphragm which causes her to be short of breath sometimes. It's getting kinda small in here. I'm going to want out soon. No offense Mommy!

I think I'm stressing her out too much though. She had a doctor's appointment and they were concerned about her High Blood Pressure. OH NOOOOES! She needs to do a 24 hour urine sample too. Fortunately such tests also involve another sonogram, so at least she'll see me again :) No , I didn't do all this on purpose in order to get my picture took again. So there!

In celebrity news, Traci Lords is expecting a son, Julia Roberts gave birth to a boy they named Henry, Tiger Woods had a daughter they named Sam Alexis, and Jeff Gordon had a daughter.

Lunar Month 7: Start of Third Trimester

2007-06-14T15:00:00.000-04:00

It seems like only 6 months ago that I choose Mommy and Daddy to be my... well, Mommy and Daddy. Oh wait. It was 6 months ago. Tee Hee! I know I made a great choice.

As Lunar month 7 starts and Trimester 3 begins, I've decided to branch out and add some drama to my story. Up until now, The Drake Show has been mostly comedic sitcom stuff. I am a fetus of many talents however, and so expect some more drama during these last 3 months.

In the meantime, here's some quotes:

"By the time the youngest children have learned to keep the house tidy, the oldest grandchildren are on hand to tear it to pieces."
- Christopher Morley

"Insanity is hereditary; you get it from your children."
- Sam Levenson

"Children are a real comfort in your old age - and they make you reach it sooner, too."
- James Cox

"It is a wise child that knows his own father."
- Homer

"It is a wise father that knows his own child."
- William Shakespeare

"Never raise your hand to your children - it leaves your midsection unprotected."
- Robert Orben

"Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt."
- Herbert Hoover

Week 24: Day 162 - 168

2007-06-13T15:00:00.000-04:00

This week was SO BUSY! Major systems are in the works, the most important one being the social networking one. My calendar is filling up quick!

Thankfully, I'm pretty famous already. Several people are planning grand pilgrimages across vast distances just to come visit ME after I am born, such as Grandpa Larry. Grandma was so eager to see me that she came out early and helped setup my nursery. THANKS Grandma! You're Awesome!

Grandma will also be here after I'm born. And if that wasn't enough, her and Grandpa Joe are coming out for my baby shower! So is Mommy and Daddy's friend from Texas. I'm like, SO popular! Mommy is planning the Baby Shower to take place a few months from now. I can't blame everyone for wanting to come and shower me with presents. I'm Awesome! Tee Hee!

Alveoli (air sacs) have developed in my tiny little lungs. As a precaution, I've started to secrete surfactant which is like lubricant for the lungs. It helps keep my lung tissues from sticking to itself. I wouldn't that to happen, now would I?

My visual and auditory systems have begun to produce brain wave activity. I'm learning how to interpret input and I can respond to light and sound, but my brain isn't ready quite yet to comprehend any of it. I need to practice some more. If it wasn't for my super human spiritually telepathic powers, I wouldn't be able to do this blog so early in my development. Hurray for me!

I currently measure about 9" long and weigh around 1.75 pounds. Mommy is doing great and can feel me move all over the place all the time. Cool Beans, I say!

Week 23: Day 155 - 161

2007-06-06T15:00:00.000-04:00

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels of the body. There was a sale, so I just got a whole bunch. I had enough left over to start putting some of them in my lungs too. I figured I might need them. While I'm at it, I decided to grow some fingernails and toe nails. I have no idea what nails are for, but I like them. Once in a while I'll suck my thumb or fingers. Hey, a fetus has to do what a fetus has to do. Speaking of which, I'm getting a little tired of my nostrils being all plugged up all the time. I think its time for them to open up and practice "breathing", even if it is all amniotic fluid stuff. It's OK though because Mommy replaces all the amniotic fluid every three hours or so. That's about 6 gallons a day! Thanks, Mommy!

Anyway, my grip is really strong right now, but for some reason when I'm born my grip strength will decrease. Kinda odd, me thinks.

I'm starting to grow the buds that will form my adult teeth. They're deeper in the gums beyond my baby teeth now. It'll take about a month, but it'll be worth it. So will making the 33 rings, 150 joints, and 1,000 ligaments that form my spine. That's a lot of stuff in one month. I can do it though! No problem!

Week 22: Day 148 - 154

2007-05-30T15:00:00.000-04:00

Mmm.. It's starting to get a little crowded in here. But that's OK, mommy can just feel me move easier! My skin is fairly wrinkled right now, but as I grow and deposit more fat and grow more muscle it'll all smooth out more. My skin is so thin it's transparent. That means you can see through it. See how smart I am! :)

I gained about 6 ounces this week, so I'm fairly satisfied with that amount. Thus far I'm about 8.25 inches long and I weight around 1.3 pounds. Also, the very first true bone like formation occurred in my breastbone.

So far I can hear the following sounds: Mommy's heart, her voice echoing within her body, her breathing, and her intestines making all kinds of funny noises.

OK now for something cool! My taste buds are forming on my tongue and inside my cheeks. I have to make a lot of them now because once they're done being made, that's all I get.

And the best news ever.. Uncle G got the job! Hurray! I'll have baby sitters and playmates and it'll all be full of awesomeness! Mommy and Daddy are very happy their friends are moving here.

Week 21: Day 141 - 147

2007-05-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

Hear Ye Hear Ye... I now pronounce the hardening of Ye Olde Hammer, Anvil, and Stirrup bones!
(giggle)

Who names these things anyway? Wouldn't it just be easier to say Ear Bones 1, 2, and 3? OK, so my ear bones are forming... whatever you wanna call them. The docs may not be sure if a baby's brain can process sound at this stage of development, but I'm telling ya, If I can blog, I sure as heck can hear and understand mommy and daddy talking to me. I just wish I could remember it :(

My first arm and leg movements are called "quickening". Mommy is so happy when I move around! On 5/19 Daddy was moving around a lot too. His work sponsored a softball game that he played in. He was GREAT! He hit a home run, pitched, and played first base. My daddy is AWESOME! Mommy watched and sat on the bleachers and talked with another little boy. One day daddy and mommy and I can play catch. That'll be AWESOME!

Mommy and Daddy heard my heartbeat again. Strong and good as usual. Everything is normal.
Uncle G came for a job Interview. I hope he gets the job. It'll be nice to have some playmates!

Lunar Month 6

2007-05-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

I'd like to take a moment from my very busy schedule to thank everyone for reading my blog and posting comments when possible. One day I'll read all of your feedback and think my daddy is a dork.

And so begins Lunar Month 6.

Week 20: Day 134-140

2007-05-10T15:00:00.000-04:00

I think (pun intended) that's its about time my brain grow rapidly. After all, it'll keep growing rapidly for like, 5 years... so I better get started on that. I have a lot to live up to ya know, since Daddy is practically a genius! No pressure! Tee Hee!

Now that I can hear external sounds and stuff I'm waking up a lot more often., much to mommy's joy. She loves it when I move around. At least for now. Tee Hee. Her mood is great, energy is good, and appetite is good. Hurray!

Even though my eyelids are still fused, I've begun making some basic blinking movements.

While I'm in here, I best start growing some fat to store energy. I'm a lean, mean, 1% body fat machine! Thankfully Mommy has had any fainting spells or dizziness that could indicate anemia due to iron deficiency. Go Vitamins!

Now that I've reached the end of the 5th month, I'm about 7 inches long, which is about the size of a barbie doll. Neato! I probably weigh a tiny bit less than a pound though.

Milla Jovovich is pregnant, as is Drea de Matteo.

Week 19: Day 131 (Sonogram Day) - 133 (Midpoint)

2007-05-07T15:00:00.000-04:00

We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. And I really mean it this time.
TODAY IS THE BEST DAY EVER!

I've kept it a secret for a while now, but now, at long last, the truth may be revealed.
The curtain has opened to reveal the show.
The darkness has faded into light.
The facts have been forged.
The walls have come down.
The stage has been set.
The fog has lifted.
The path is clear.

Umm, what was I saying? Oh yeah...
It's SONOGRAM DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy loved it. Easily one of the best days of her life. Daddy though it was great too :)

All Mommy wanted was to see what sex I am. She figured I'd be all shy and troublesome.
HA! I'm a GOOD BABY, remember? Take a gander at this:

IT'S............. A............Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That there is my manhood in all its glory, plain and simple for the world to see.

Here's a sonogram pic of my face. I was moving quite a bit during the sonogram. It's not that I'm shy or anything. I like getting my picture taken. I was just trying to have them get my best side. Which is all over. Tee Hee!

Here's my foot. It's too hard to tell if I'll have Mommy's big stable feet or Daddy's cute little stubby toes.

5/9- Either way, I kicked mommy right in the bladder. She almost peed herself. Hey, she wanted to feel me kick. That's what she wanted. Far be it from me to not oblige.

And that's the HALF-WAY MARK! 19 weeks down, 19 more to go. While I'm prepping to live in the outside world, Mommy's body is preparing to birth me. Now THAT's entertainment!

Week 19: Day 127-130

2007-05-03T15:00:00.000-04:00

If this isn't the BEST WEEK EVER I don't know what is.

First of all, my legs have reached their final relative proportions. Soon mommy will really feel me kick :) Right now I'm surrounded by amniotic fluid. It's a great environment because I have the freedom to perform Zero-G space-like movements. I can spin, turn, rotate, somersault, twist, jackknife, and do all kinds of things in 3D! I can move however I like. Its fun!!! The fluid is replaced every 3 or 4 hours since not only does it keep my buoyant and warm, but clean too. Thankfully Mommy drinks lots of fluids so I'm all good.

OOOOOOOOOOH Action!

Mommy and Daddy went to Babies R Us in Woodbridge, Virginia. They found all kinds of cool things for me! Hurray! Presents for me! I like presents. They registered online too. What presents am I going to get??

OOOOOOOOOOH Suspense!

Week 18: Day 120-126

2007-04-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

Brrrr... It's kinda cold in here. I think I'll produce some brown fat on my neck, chest, and crotch to help keep me warm in cold environments. Most of it will go away by the time I reach adulthood, but by then Mommy can buy me a sweater. I just KNOW she's going to spoil me. Besides, I deserve it.

OOOOOOOOOH! There's Chills!

Mommy's Linea Alba is starting to darken a little bit. Also knows as "the white line", it's a narrow line between the navel and pubic hair lines. After it darkens, its called the Linea Nigra. Neat!

I grew eyebrows. It was easy, really, considering all the other things I've grown... a heart, circulatory and digestive systems, a brain, arms and legs, hard stuff like that. Eyebrows were a piece of cake. I even grew some scalp hair. Of course it'll fall out about 2 weeks after I'm born, but I figured hey... why not grow some scalp hair. It was easy! I'm a pro now!

I'm about 11 ounces now. Mommy can feel my growth due to the additional pressure on her pelvis. As my soft cartilage hardens into bone (ossification process) I'll be able to perform stronger movements. Mommy's mood is great, her energy and appetite are good, and sometimes she can feel me fluttering. Not enough for Daddy to feel yet, but I'm working on it.

Lately I've been sleeping and waking up about as often as I'm going to when I'm born. I wanna help Mommy prepare herself for my sleep cycles. Isn't that nice of me??? Mommy had a Beltane ritual with Sandy and Lolly. They're great people. I can't wait to meet them!

Ooooooh! More people added! I smell a Plot Twist!

Week 17: Day 113-119

2007-04-19T16:00:00.000-04:00

I started growing Lanugo. Lanugo is temporary hair that grows on my head and body. Most of it disappears by the time I'm born though. No one seems to know what this temporary hair is for though. Ohhhhh! Intrigue! Mystery! I have 2 theories. One is that the hair grows naturally but isn't strong enough to stay in place. My other theory is that the hair sets up the places where I will eventually grow real hair.

It does play a part in protecting my skin though. The Lanugo, dead skin, and oil from my oil glands form a creamy-looking substance known as the "vernix caseosa". This vernix coating also helps protect my sensory cells and developing glands. I'm so smart, maybe I'll be a scientist!

Mommy's not as constipated now since she's taking a fiber supplement. She's been feeling little flutters here and there. Don't worry Mommy, I'll get big and strong real soon and you can feel me move and kick all the time! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! My current goal is to grow another 5 inches or so such that I'll be about 8-10 inches in length by the end of this lunar month.

Mommy and Daddy went to the doc and everything was great! Daddy heard my heartbeat! And it wasn't over the telephone! Hurray Daddy! See, I'm really in here after-all! :)

Mommy had another spotting incident :( She took it easy again and everything was fine. She's a little nervous about it. What's going to happen? Is the spotting normal or could something be wrong? Tune in next week. Same Baby Time! Same Baby Channel!

OOOOOOOOH DRAMA!

Lunar Month 5: Star of the Show

2007-04-19T15:00:00.000-04:00

Whoooo Hoooo! Welcome to Lunar Month 5!!!! This month is FEATURE PACKED!
There's Action! There's Drama! There's Mystery! There's Suspense! There's Thrills! There's Chills! There's Plot Twists! There's Intrigue!
(No, I have no idea what the word intrigue means... But it sounds like a cool word! Tee Hee!)

The BEST part of this show? It stars ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME

BUT WAIT! There's more! I'm not just the actor, the director, and the writer, but
I'm also the gaffer. I like saying gaffer. Its a funny word. gaf-fer. GAHFur! GUH-AF-FER!

Mommy and Daddy are still the Producer's though. They still get some of the credit. Not much, but some. I'm not a diva baby ya know.

Anyway, On with the Show!

Week 16: Day 106-112

2007-04-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Follow the river. Take the path most traveled. Blend in with the crowd. I know that most babies develop pads on their fingertips and toes. I realize that nearly everyone at some point starts looking forward instead of sideways. I understand that I am not unique when my ears attained their proper position. I accept that around this time almost everybody's bones will have begun to harden. I even acknowledge that I've coated my nerves with a fatty substance called myelin to speed nerve cell transmission and to insulate them to avoid packet loss(lost or interrupted messages).

I'm just saying that I did all these things so well, so fast, with so much style, with so much panache, that Mommy can't wait to meet me! She's very very very excited. She even thinks she felt me move!! I may only be 5.5 inches long, and its probably only gas, but Mommy swears she can feel me fluttering about sometimes. She's as happy as can be!

Week 15: Day 105

2007-04-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

April 11, 2007.

Oh My! What a glorious day! So much stuff happened that I couldn't include it in the usual weekly update blog post.

First off, Mommy went to the Prince William OB/GYN. Unknown to her, part of the exam was listening to my heartbeat!! Unfortunately, Daddy wasn't here so Mommy called him on his mobile phone and he listened to my heartbeat over the phone. He was SOOO happy!

UH OH! Mommy had a little bit of scare this evening. She spotted (vaginal bleeding) a little bit so she laid down and took it easy for a while. There wasn't any more spotting afterwards though, and she called the doc and they said it was normal but if it happened again to let them know. Whew! Scary!!!

Week 15: Day 99-104

2007-04-05T15:00:00.000-04:00

This week is what I call a 'prep' week. I still have a lot of growing to do, even though I've already grown quite a bit! So in order to grow even more, I need to do some better planning. Before it was just cells and organs and limbs and stuff. Now I have to get ready for the next month of development. I wish I had a dry erase board in here to chart all this out, but I'll have to suffice with just remembering it all in my mental "to do" list.

Blood travels through the umbilical cord with a lot of pressure now, just like a water hose. Unlike a hose though, the cord auto-untangles itself. Neat!

Now that I my own circulation system online, pumping 25 quarts of blood a day, I can concentrate on 3 of my favorite things:

Sucking
Swallowing
Blinking

These are all very important things. Sucking and swallowing are good things to practice so that I can one day ingest nutrients. Blinking is good so my eyes stay moist and help junk from getting in there.

Mommy and Daddy went to Babies R Us. They picked out a lot of cool Pooh stuff for me. They don't know what sex I'll be yet, but Pooh is a good choice for either one. Of course *I* know what I am, but I'm not about to tell. Tee hee! shhhhh!

Week 14: Day 92-98

2007-03-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

This week wasn't all that great. Mommy has some ligament stretching pains from her uterus stretching and a lot of congestion and sometimes even a nosebleed. I know its just the increased blood flow trying to keep me healthy, but I don't like seeing Mommy in pain. I'm sorry mommy. I'll try to be as gentle as I can. I have a lot of growing to do though and there's not a whole lot of space in here. But at least I have a 'womb with a view'. tee hee!

I'm about 4.25 inches long and I weigh around 3.75 ounces. That's about double from 2 weeks ago!

"The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any."
- Fred Astaire

Week 13: Day 85-91

2007-03-22T15:00:00.000-04:00

I'm soooo happy to be in Lunar Month 4 now!!
I think 4 is my favorite number now! Yippeee!!

My shoulders were getting tired of holding my head up all the time, so I grew a neck.
I'm supposed to be growing faster now than I ever have been or ever will be. So I'm in for a pretty busy month this time! That's OK though. I can do it. In fact, I can do lots of cool things!

For example, I can make a fist, move my thumbs, and grasp objects. I can also move my legs and feet quite a bit and kick stuff. I can even curl or stretch my toes and turn my feet a bit. Unfortunately, there's no toys in here to play with. I'll have to find something I can kick around soon. Won't that be fun! In the meantime, I have to practice moving all my muscles in order to train my nervous system how to move in a smooth, synchronous fashion. Otherwise I'll be all jittery like a robot.

Mommy is really doing good, except for the Cherry Blossoms blossoming. I think they're pretty though. Anyway, Cherry Blossoms don't bloom for very long, only about a week out of the year or so I think. So Mommy should be OK soon.

Week 12: Day 78-84

2007-03-15T15:00:00.000-04:00

Well, it's official. I am now one of the most known advanced living organisms on the planet. I finally developed the one super special feature that sets me apart from nearly all other species. Beware the Ides of March, for I now have opposable thumbs.

I'm also "breathing", sorta. Amniotic fluid is inhaled and exhaled through my lungs which should, theoretically, help form the air sacs. Happy St. Patrick's Day to all that celebrate such things! I think there should be a day named after me. That would be neat!

My salivary glands just started working. My spleen is fully functional. My arms are nearly proportional but my legs are still kinda short. My muscles are refined enough that I no longer twitch.. I have fluid, smooth movements now. I'm about 3.5" long and weigh somewhere between 1 and 2 ounces. Now that I'm at the end of my 12th week, which is the end of the first 3 months, that's the end of the first trimester. One-third of the way done, and two-thirds more to go! Hurray!!!

Mommy is still doing great! No mood swings. Good energy levels. Great appetite. No morning sickness. No real cravings. She's all good. Whoo Hooo! In other news, Sarah McLachlan is pregnant while C.C. Deville had a son.

Week 11: Day 71-77

2007-03-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

We arrived in Manassas, Virginia on Thursday, March 8, 2007. This is where I'm probably going to be born!! Mommy still doesn't really need maternity clothes since she can wear the clothes she had before she lost all that weight, but she is watching where she's walking. Don't wanna slip on what little snow or ice is left.

And now for our regularly scheduled body parts segment: My intestines are migrating from the umbilical cord to the abdomen. The placenta grows a little slower than I do, and weighs only about a mere ounce. Morning sickness occurs in about 50% of pregnant women. I'm happy Mommy hasn't really had any morning sickness, just the few days worth of nausea from the antibiotics. I'll be born with about 300 bones in my body, but as I grow into the perfectly wonderful child I know I will be, many of them will fuse together to make the total the normal 206 bones. My liver has started to secrete bile and my pancreas is starting to produce insulin. I won't actually digest food for a while, all that's still coming preprocessed from Mommy's bloodstream. It's like ordering delivery every day!

Mommy is being very careful to ensure she has all the right vitamins and nutrients we both need. She hasn't had too many food aversions but she has been craving a lot of junk food and totally eating whatever she wants. She couldn't fit into her jeans though. D'oh! Sorry mommy. It's really my fault. I'm getting big. I have my baby teeth and gums now! I even have vocal chords.

With that, I leave you with this Hindu Proverb:

What war is to man, childbirth is to woman.

Week 10: Day 64-70

2007-03-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

You may think that all this growing and stuff has made me tired. Nope! I'm moving around and having a good 'ol time! My skin is sensitive to touch. I grew nails and hair follicles this week, so that was neat. My brain is about the structure it's going to be at birth, it just needs to increase in size a little bit. My thyroid, pancreas, and gall bladder all finished developing this week. I've been practicing using my digestive tract muscles which push food from one tract to another tract. It's not something I recommend.

OH OH OH! Guess what I can do!!! When my face is touched I can open my mouth! Isn't that neat!! I think so! Now that the hard, bony part of my palate is completely formed I can eat and breathe at the same time. Of course, I don't breathe yet, but I believe in being prepared.

I've been a little busy with some internal issues so my growth has slowed a bit. Even so, I doubled my size since last week. I'm almost 1/2 oz in weight and I'm about 2 inches long. In celebrity news, Salma Hayek is pregnant, as is Gina Torres. Mommy and Daddy are moving this week. I'm happy Daddy found a job so quickly. He's awesome!

Week 9: Day 57 - Day 63

2007-02-22T14:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Lunar Month 3.
This is the BEST MONTH EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that I'm in my 9th week, I have an announcement:
Here Ye! Here Ye! Let it be known to all the land that I am now officially a Fetus.
Hurray!!! I'm a feeeeeeeeeetus... I'm a feeeeeeeetus...
Tee Hee!
Apparently the word fetus comes from the Latin word meaning "offspring". Why don't they just call me an offspring then? Or an In-Spring since I haven't been born yet to become an offspring. I don't know who makes up all these silly words but they're silly.

In other news, Kimberly Williams-Paisley had a little boy and Naomi Watts is pregnant. Jenna Elfman is expecting twins. Hurray for all of them!

I'm growing about .06" a day. In fact, I grew from 1" or so to about 2" or so this week. I weigh about 1/4 ounce. I'm starting to straighten out a little bit but right now my eyes are still set fairly wide apart. The iris is forming too, but my eyelids are fusing together. Don't worry, they won't stay that way. Oh, also, my skin is starting to thicken, so that's good. Mom's off her antibiotics now which is also good. I know they were causing her some nausea. I told ya it wasn't me!

Mommy went to the doc and heard my heartbeat. I have a pretty strong heart, so I'm very happy about that. Wow what a week! I can't wait for week 10!!

Week 8: Day 50-56

2007-02-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Hurray my upper lip has finally formed! My ossification process has started where it always starts. The upper arms. I don't know why people use the term "upper arms". I may not be born yet, but I'm pretty sure when I come out I won't have 4 arms: 2 higher and 2 lowers... so why call them that? Anyway, my first true bone cells are going to replace the cartilage. Doesn't THAT sound like fun? Not only that, but I can digest on my own with my itty bitty stomach, my liver can produce my own red blood cells, and my kidneys can already extract waste.

Poor mommy! She has a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. No one can prove anything! She's starting to feel nauseous for the first time. Tis Boo :( It's the antibiotics she's on. At least she only has to take them for a week.

I'm happy to report that I can bend my arms at the elbow now. My fingers are still webbed though. *I* think they look pretty cool. I can even begin to move my body and arms with my brains. Yes, I am THAT powerful!

In other news, the external of my ears are now developed. I still need to grow the bones and stuff inside though. I'm working on it.. The amniotic sac is about the size of a chicken egg. This marks the end of the embryonic period though, signified by the first bone formation. Mommy needs lots of Phosphorus now because it combines with calcium to form my bones.

OH! OH! OH! Have I mentioned yet that my tongue has formed? Now I can stick it out and go phththththththt!!!! Genes are responsible for ensuring my body grows in unison.. GO GENES! I'm starting to get cells that will become my skin too.

I've been a busy baby this week. I went from .71 inches long to .87 inches long a day later. BUT WAIT! The next day I grew to .91 inches and FINALLY hit about 1" long near the end of the week. Now I weigh somewhere between .04 and .11 ounces. WHEW! What a growth spurt!

I am no longer an Embryo. I am a well proportioned, small-scale baby. Lastly, I am sad to report that my tail has disappeared. Bye Tail!!!

Week 7: Day 43-49

2007-02-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

2/8 - 2/14
Sorry my blog posts have been kinda slow. I know I'm actually backdating a lot of stuff and trying to catch up. So some of these posts may be kinda long. I hope you'll read it all and leave a comment or two. I look forward to being able to read one day and looking back upon all this stuff (which will be quite archaic by the time I'm able to read and understand it all)

Cartilage and bones are forming. Brain waves are now strong enough that they can be recorded. I'm between 1/2 and 2/3 of an inch long. I can kinda move, but not with enough force for Mommy to feel it. Yet. Wait for it. Trust me. I plan to do all kinds of moving.

Mommy needs B6, B12, folic acid, and iron because of all the additional blood going around. Fortunately she doesn't care for spicy foods, which is just fine by me. Bleh!

I have eyes now, but I can't see with them yet. And they are on each side of my head, like a rabbit. I like bunnies!! My basic body structure with arms and legs and proportions is just about right. Ears too. But once my head keeps forming my eyes and ears will line up where they're expected to. I still need to develop Daddy's stubby little toes. Then my toes will be SO CUTE TOO!

My intestines formed around the umbilical cord, but now they're moving towards their proper place inside me. Kinda weird, huh? I'm glad mommy doesn't have any diseases. I'd be getting them about now.

I'm between .62 and .71 niches long now and I weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of .033 ounces. Still no morning sickness, nausea, mood swings, or severe cravings.. I'm doing very good being so gentle.

Feb 14 Happy Valentines!! I'm Mommy's best valentine gift ever!!
It snowed a LOT today in the Boston area. They call it a "Nor'Easter", like North Eastern but with funky punctuation marks. Apparently the first human ovulation was observed by scientists in 1930. That was like, so last century! tee hee!

Week 6: Day 36-42

2007-02-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

It's the best week ever!
My hands have started to form, Mommy had her first doctors appointment, the pituitary gland (master gland) is beginning to form, my eye retina pigment is taking shape, and my windpipe(trachea), voice box (larynx), and bronchi (lung tubes) have also started to form.

I'm not sure how big I am. Somewhere between .3 and .43 inches I suppose. I'm growing so fast that if I keep it up this rate, I'll be 15 feet tall in about a month. I'm going to have to slow down soon.

I've noticed that I'm growing from the top down. My head is growing faster than my other organs. My arms grew before my legs. My upper lip grew before my bottom lip. It's called "cephalocaudal" development. Selected cell clusters grow from the head to the tail instead of like, randomly or whatever. Other clusters have to wait their turn. I think that's K-Nifty.

Caffiene is bad. Thanksfully Mommy has given up diet soda for me. She may gain back some of her weight but its healthier than diet soda. Bleh!

Apparently there's this thing called metabolism. The glucose from that may impact morning sickness. Whatever the reason, Mommy hasn't had any. Unfortunately, Mommy is starting to have some food aversions. Fries are her favorite food, but now they kinda smell icky to her. Same for lettuce. Sorry mommy! Thankfully she hasn't been too irritable or depressed as some mothers tend to get during these early pregnancy months. See! I AM a good baby! Told ya! Told Ya! Ninner, ninner, ninner!

On day 41 I'm now nearly 1/2" long. Go me!! Go Me!!

Food Facts (Day 32-35)

2007-01-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

My arms look like paddles now more than flippers. Tis Boo. I like flippers. Tee Hee!

Water is the best hydrator, despite the sport drink commercials. At lest for me. Eggs have pretty much all the important vitamins and minerals I need, except Vitamin C. But since Mommy doesn't really eat eggs, the supplements should be OK. At least she drinks a good amount of milk. Mommy prefers 1% skim milk that's naturally organic. I don't blame her. I think I'm going to prefer natural organic milk too! Tee Hee!

Now that I'm about 1/4" in size, I need stuff. But how much of what? There's so many minerals to keep track off.. my goodness! B1 (Thiamine) for energy, Protein, Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, the list goes on and on. I wonder why some vitamins have a Letter and some have actual names. Weird.

Sorry Mommy if I'm making you somewhat tired now. It takes a lot of energy to divide my cerebral hemispheres and form the foundations of my my reflex-based neuro-muscular communications. I also weigh an astonishing .00004 ounces.

Brain Child (Day 29-31)

2007-01-25T14:00:00.000-05:00

The next 6 days or so are going to keep me fairly busy. My brain, body, and head are going to go through a period of rapid growth. Of course, my legs will grow more slowly than my arms until I'm 3 years old. Kinda weird, huh? At this point I need all the Folic acid I can get.

I'm proud to announce that I have 38 pairs of somites. I have no idea why its called a somite but apparently they will form the bones and muscles of my head and trunk. my trunk.. my trunk.. my little baby rump!

I'm also happy to announce the official forming of my leg buds. I now measure a whole 1/4" long., supposedly (I don't have a ruler in here, remember?). But I'm like, 10,000 times bigger than I was at conception, which was only about 30 days ago. GO ME!

Mommy and Daddy need to schedule me for an ultrasound test (sonogram) soon. I can't wait for them to be able to hear me!

Lunar Month 1 Complete: Day 28

2007-01-24T14:00:00.000-05:00

As I enter into my 4th week and reflect upon my life thus far, I find comfort in knowing that the cycle of life will continue with me. Lunar Month 1 has ended, but Lunar month 2 has just begun.

Wow what an important day this is! I can discern light now. It's really dark, but sometimes I do see some really fuzzy light. My arms are now flippers. I think that's funny. I like flippers. Tee hee!

So now I have 3 sets of kidneys. Apparently only 2 sets will eventually function. Weird. I don't even need them since the placenta does all their work until I'm born. Maybe I'll be awesome like my Grandma and have all 3 of them functioning when I'm born. Wouldn't that be kinda cool?

I feel the need to get a credit card and go to Staples. I don't know why I feel the intense need to shop and charge things on a credit card. Is shopping an inherited trait? Anyway, I need to buy a ruler. Does Best Buy have rulers? I want to go there too. I've been there, of course, several times already. It's just that I want to measure myself again. I'm somewhere between .16 and .24 inches long.

It's been a great 4 weeks. Thanks Mom. Thanks Dad. See you both soon (but not too soon).

Form Of... A Baby! Day 25-27

2007-01-21T14:00:00.000-05:00

My eyes are forming. I hope I get cool eyes like my Daddy. He has "sunflower" eyes. They look like a sunflower. His eyes contain varied patterns of colors with brown, green, and dark yellow being the most prominent. Rarely a little dark blue pigment shows up. Its cool!

My ear canal is starting to form. I hope I get my Mommy's Ears. They're cute and work really well. Much better than Daddy's (No offensive Daddy! I love you! Tee Hee!)

My digestive system is beginning to form to. I hope I get my Daddy's system. The stuff he eats is really yummy and he never gets sick from eating too much.

My heart is forming, especially the Aorta. I don't know what that is but it sounds important.
My heart's now beating at about 65 times every minute. I guess that's good!

As promised, the buds of my arms are forming. Soon I'll be able to give real big hugs! Hurray!

I also have a tiny liver. How cool is that? Get ready for the gall bladder, stomach, intestines, pancreas, and lungs.

There's no ruler in here so I'm not quite sure how much I've grown. I'm somewhere between .11 and .2 inches.

Growth Spurt: Day 23 + 24

2007-01-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

It sure is dark in here. Nothing much to do but grow really. I suppose thats why during my first month I'll have grown 10,000 times larger than when I was just an egg. I can't even count to 10, let alone 10,000... but that's supposedly a really big number. THAT's what I call a growth spurt though! The largest growth I'll ever have. It sure is tiring. I think I'll take a nap now.

Laid Off: Day 21+22

2007-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Uh oh. Daddy and Mommy are VERY upset. They were SO happy to learn that I was finally here and growing inside Mommy that the universe was unbalanced, so something bad had to happen I guess. And it did. Daddy was laid off from work today. I promise to not to want a pony or anything expensive Daddy!! Don't worry, I'll grow arms very soon and give you a big hug, OK?? I may only be 1/8" long, but my heart just began to beat for you! So don't worry! Be Happy!

Heart to Heart : Day 20

2007-01-16T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today marks the day of a critical time in my development. My blood vessels have joined my heart tubes and soon I'll have a heart. But I don't need a heart to know that I love my mommy and daddy!

Also, it appears I decided to bless my parents around the same time as a lot of other Famous Celebrities: Marcia Cross (twins), Julia Roberts, Tori Spelling, Jaime Pressly, Nicole Sullivan, Keri Russel, Lauren Ambrose(She gave birth 1-16-07), and Jenna Elfman (also twins). A few of mommy's and daddy's friends are Pregnant too. Hurray! I already have friends in the making!
Just one question... What's a celebrity?

Sleepy: Day 18+19

2007-01-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
errr uhhhh
I'm (yawn) .05 inches long now, from head to tail. tee hee. I have a (yawn) tail!
Back to sleep. Growing makes me tired...
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Discovery: Day 17

2007-01-13T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the best day ever!!

I don't know who, but someone must have told my secret. Somehow Mommy figured out I was in here and so she took a pregnancy test thingy to make sure. Well, 99.9% sure. Anyway, she was THRILLED with the results. So was Daddy.

HURRAY! I don't mind that my secret was revealed. I'm happy they know. I'm 0.02 inches long now. I have needs ya know. Protein. Calcium. Folic Acid. All kinds of good stuff. Fortunately Mommy has been taking prenatal vitamins for years. Its like a buffet in here! Yummers!

Suspicions arise

2007-01-12T14:00:00.000-05:00

Friday, January 12, 2007
Suspicions arise

Well its been about three weeks now. Time sure flies when cells are dividing!
It's good my mommy doesn't drink alcohol. I doubt I would like it. On New Years she had a few sips of champagne, but I don't care about that.

I'm getting ready to form 3 tissue layers:

1. Endoderm (glands, lung lining, tongue, tonsils, urethra, bladder, and digestive tract)
2. Mesoderm (muscles, bones, lymphatic tissue, spleen, blood cells, heart, lungs, excretory and reproductive systems)
3. Ectoderm (skin, nails, hair, eye lens, ears, nose, sinuses, mouth, anus, tooth enamel, pituitary gland, mammary gland, complete nervous system)

It's a really cool process! Now, you may be asking yourself how a 3-week old Embryo knows all this... after all, I don't even have a nervous system yet. Well, like my daddy, I'm an old soul full of knowledge and wisdom. My body hasn't stored the chemical memory cells for any of this yet, so its more of what mortals call instinct. Intuition perhaps. I prefer ancestral memory. Whatever. I think blogging this info is fun. If you agree, feel free to leave a comment. I'll read it as soon as I learn how to read :)

Gentleness

2007-01-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Gentleness

Wow I'm growing fast! I'm about .007" in length now. Good thing there's only one of me. If there were 5 then we'd all take up as much space as this period: .

Remember, mommy doesn't even know about me yet! tee hee! Shhhh! Don't say anything yet. I'd make you pinkie swear my secret but I don't have pinkies yet.

Since mommy has been so good to me so far, I've decided to be the most gentle baby ever! I won't cause her any nausea, stress, or anything! The only thing I'll demand is more food and more sleep. After all, those are my two of my favorite hobbies right now.

Toodles!

Yummers

2007-01-07T14:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my mommy having been eating healthy and losing weight for a while, I'm feeding on some great stuff now. Unfortunately she turned vegetarian (no red meat) too, so there isn't as much protein as I would prefer. One day I'll have to figure out how to give her cravings. For now, I'm busy producing more hCG so she'll know I'm here soon.

Embryo : Day 8+9

2007-01-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

Whoo Hooo! Now that I'm implanted I'm officially an Embryo now! My mommy and I are now joined (prior to this I was just floating in fluid). I enjoyed my first week so far. I look forward to many more! Hurray!

Implantation: Day 6+7

2007-01-03T14:00:00.000-05:00

It takes a while to implant into the uterine lining, but its worth it. It's very warm and snugly! I like it here. It's a pretty good neighborhood too, and there's plenty of space. Of course, I'm only about .004 inches in diameter. Whatever a 'diameter' is.

I was very careful moving in so mommy wouldn't notice any light spotting. She doesn't even know I exist yet. Shhhh! Don't tell her yet, I want it to be a surprise! tee hee!

"It goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows"
-Emma Bombeck-

A New Home: Day 5

2007-01-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today I left my old home on Fallopian Tube Circle and am wandering around Uterus Road. I have to pick a place to live soon. So many great choices! Good thing I packed light... I only have about 16 cells or so.

Solid Ball: Day 3

2006-12-30T14:00:00.000-05:00

Today was a productive day. Well, a reproductive day at least. As promised my cells have completed a few more divisions each. Two to four, four to eight, etc. I'm not real sure since I can't count, but its a lot. I'm tired. I haven't grown in size overall though because the cell division keeps me about the same size as I was a few days ago. I'm what's considered a "Solid Ball Configuration" at this point.

Zygote: Day 2

2006-12-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

Well, I was kinda bored today. There really isn't too much a single cell organism such as myself can do. So I decided to divide myself into two cells. It wasn't as exciting as I had hoped. Perhaps a few more cell divisions are in order. But I'll save that for later. Right now I need to produce some EPF (Early Pregnancy Factor) protein so mommy doesn't think I'm some foreign body. That wouldn't be good.

Today I just want to plan out my development so I can better understand what all these numbers and dates and stuff mean.

Theoretically, an average baby takes 266 days to develop. Obviously, I'm far above average in nearly every good way, but I'll use the normal scale for purposes of discussion. Since my development revolves around lunar cycles, not some arbitrary calendar someone made up and then the Romans hacked up a bit later, I'm going to specify days and weeks, where a week is equal to 7 days. I won't use months; because, let's face it, they're stupid.

At this point I'd like to thank my mommy and daddy for helping me communicate my development in this blog. It's very hard to type right now since I don't have any fingers yet.

Conception: Day 1

2006-12-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

Hello World, It's me.. But who am I?

In the cycle of life things are born, they live, and then they die. And now its my turn. How are we to define ourselves within this passage of time? Do we really need to make our mark upon the world? Can we simply be content in the knowledge that we enjoyed our life and hopefully helped others have a good life too?

Such questions may seem a bit too philosophical; after all, I was just conceived. But I really have nothing else to do here.

My parents have been wanting me for over 3 years now. I guess I get my procrastination side from both of them. But it's a very difficult decision to leave the universal heaven and enter the mortal world. I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know who I will become. I don't know if I'll make my parents proud. All I know is that I already love them.