Baby Newsletter Weeks 35 & 36

Below is a copy of one of the weekly newsletters my friend, Heather, sent to our friends at work during my pregnancy as the BPA (Baby Personal Assistant): Hi Everyone, My sincerest apologies for missing last week's Baby Newsletter! We were preoccupied throwing the shower! :-)  Here is Week 35: Week 36: Baby melon (sounds pretty darn close to Meller!): -He's doing less somersaults b/c it's getting a little cramped in there! But let the kicking begin! -His kidneys are fully developed now and his liver can process some waste products… uh gross. -He's packing on the pounds- the rate is now an ounce a day! -He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during her nine-month amniotic bath… so he's like a shedding little werwolf!  -Major grossness- the baby is also swallowing both of those substances… along with other secretions… uh have I mentioned babies are kinda gross?! Mama Melon: -The uterus is not up and under Erika's rib cage… ouch!  -There is also now more baby than amniotic fluid in there! -She def has to pee every few minutes, get's heartburn often, and there is stress on internal organs! -As the baby drops there will be an increased pressure in the lower abdomen… but the heartburn and normal meals may be easier to handle! -As the baby drops walking will become difficult and uncomfortable!  -Also- no flying at this point or roller coasters! Gotta keep that little guy safe! -Mom and Dad- you better start collecting take-out and delivery menus from local restaurants (I think Applebee's has takeout!) b/c you will NOT have time to cook the first several weeks after the baby is born!  -For first-time moms (erika) labor takes an average of 15 hours… though it is not uncommon to go more than 20! Hope everyone brought a book and an iphone… this is going to take awhile! -Also time for the parentals to make a "grapevine" aka a list of all the people you want to hear about your baby's birth! World Bookers will be excited to part of that grapevine! :-) Happy Monday!!! Heather the official BPA

Baby Newsletter Week 34

Below is a copy of one of the weekly newsletters my friend, Heather, sent to our friends at work during my pregnancy as the BPA (Baby Personal Assistant):

Baby Harvey Meller Jr. is a cantaloupe today!!! 

Baby Harv Mell:

-Baby is getting fat to help regulate the body temperature

-His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature

-Baby is just wiggling, moving, and being happy

Mama Harv Mell:

-The word of the week = Fatigue. Tiredness, the need to always pee, restless nights, and never being comfortable are the joys that Erika must now bear. So everyone BE NICE TO HER!

-It's time to start slowing down to save up energy for labor and beyond! No jumping up quickly, no rushing, and no catering to other people's needs!

-Be on the lookout for itchy red bumps and welts! Erika may be up the one percent of pregnant women who develop PUPPP.

-Advice from Carrie (though I have no idea who that is): turning in your sleep becomes a nightmare, the solution: Big satin pj's and satin sheets! You'll be sliding all over the place.

See you all next week!

Heather, the official BPA

"Please Take My Seat... " Or Not

One of the bonuses of being so obviously pregnant is that you get doors opened for you, elevators held for you, and a seat on a crowded bus or train... most of the time.

Yesterday was the first time no one offered to give me their seat on the bus for the 5-minute ride to the train station, and I have to admit that I was a bit miffed. I am clearly obviously pregnant, and while I didn't actually need a seat for the short jaunt ('cause if I did, I would have point-blank asked someone for theirs - I wouldn't be shy about it) it was still a little upsetting that no one at least offered (and there were clearly plenty of able-bodied people sitting right next to where I was standing).

And it bothered me not so much because I would have gladly taken a seat (my balance is not so good on these stop-and-go bus rides), but because I wonder how often this happens to people who truly need one. There are several seats right near the front of the bus marked with handicap symbols and an announcement that plays periodically asking people to reserve those seats for people with disabilities and expectant mothers.

So what about those people who are not like me and are too shy to ask another for a seat, even though they have maybe a hidden handicap like a prosthetic limb or are short of breath?

I take comfort, however, in the fact that it seemed like an isolated incident. Today, I had not one, not two, but three women offer me their seats.

"Sit here," said one, gathering up her purse and bags and starting to get up.

"No, she can have mine," said a second, as she jumped up and ushered me toward her seat.

"Oh, I was just about to offer," said a third. "I know it's hard to balance with all that extra weight."

Women just understand each other.

Baby Newsletter Week 33

Below is a copy of one of the weekly newsletters my friend, Heather, sent to our friends at work during my pregnancy as the BPA (Baby Personal Assistant):

Baby lives in a pineapple under the sea!

Baby pineapple: 

-4 pounds!!!

-He's finally losing the alien wrinkled look and his little skeleton is hardening!

-The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. 

Mama pineapple:

-waddling has begun!

-Finding comfortable sitting and sleeping positions are getting harder!

-Bumping into chairs and counters is now the norm

-Don't let her hold anything sharp… she may start feeling numbness in fingers, wrists, and hands! -Stretch your hands when you've been typing for a long time

-Heather the official BPA

Meller Baby Quiz!

1. Brent’s middle name is __________ and Erika’s middle name is ___________.

2. Brent’s first word was ___________ while Erika’s first word was __________.

3. How did Brent and Erika meet?

a.   At school

b.   At work

c.   At a bar

d.   Through Match.com

4. Why did Erika feel she should take a pregnancy test?

a.   She had what she thought was the flu for a week.

b.   She was making twice as many trips to the restroom.

c.   She just “felt pregnant.”

d.   She didn’t – she just took one as a joke.

5. What were Erika’s first words after telling Brent she was pregnant?

a.   “I’m so excited!”

b.   “I’m scared.”

c.   “Do you think I should take another test?”

d.   “HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?”

6. What did Brent do immediately after Erika told him she was pregnant?

a.   A fist pump while shouting “YES!”

b.   Open the oven to signify that she had a “bun in the oven.”

c.   Stare at her blankly.

d.   Asked her to take another test to be sure.

7. How did they tell Erika’s parents that Erika was pregnant?

a.   By unveiling a cake saying “Expecting… a baby!”

b.   By putting the ultrasound picture in a “My grandkids” photo album.

c.   Over Skype while Erika was wearing a “Baby on Board” T-shirt.

d.   After scaring them by saying there would be a hospital trip in their future.

8. How did they tell Brent’s parents that Erika was pregnant?

a.   By unveiling a cake saying “Expecting… a baby!”

b.   By putting the ultrasound picture in a “My grandkids” photo album.

c.   Over Skype while Erika was wearing a “Baby on Board” T-shirt.

d.   After scaring them by saying there would be a hospital trip in their future.

9. What did Erika’s work counterpart do when she told her she was pregnant?

a.   Scream so loud that colleagues came over wondering where the fire was.

b.   Immediately declare herself the BPA (Baby Personal Assistant).

c.   Send out the first of the now weekly Baby Newsletter e-mails to the office.

d.   All of the above.

10. What was Erika’s biggest complaint during the first trimester?

a.   She was always tired.

b.   She was always having morning sickness.

c.   She was always dizzy.

d.   All of the above.

11. What’s been Erika’s biggest food craving throughout pregnancy?

a.   Chocolate

b.   Pickles

c.   Black licorice

d.   French fries

12. What did Brent do when they found out they’d be having a baby boy?

a.   Just sat there with a big grin on his face.

b.   Stared at the ultrasound technician blankly.

c.   Put both hands in the air in a silent celebration.

d.   Whoop so loudly the nurse came in to make sure everything was OK.

13. What is Erika’s least favorite part about being pregnant?

a.   The nausea

b.   The aches and pains

c.   The weight gain

d.   All of the above

14. What is Erika’s favorite part about being pregnant?

a.   Always being offered a seat on the train and bus.

b.   The regular back and foot massages.

c.   Being able to eat anything she wants.

d.   Feeling the baby move.

15. The baby’s due date is on November ________.

Answers:

1. Allen, Jo

2. Dad, Dada

3. b

4. c

5. b

6. b

7. b

8. d

9. d

10. a

11. c

12. c

13. b

14. d

15. 26

Showered With Love

Brent and I went home this weekend for my baby shower put on by my mom and sister. 

And it was beautiful.

Right after walking into the hall they rented off Samaria Road in Michigan, I saw so many special touches to make sure my day truly was special

The tables were all covered in blue tablecloths with homemade centerpieces consisting of halved gallon milk cartons wrapped in diapers and turned upside-down atop doilies. And on top of each carton was a different stuffed animal for the little guy. Every place setting also received a plastic silverware set hand-rolled in a napkin tied with a blue ribbon and a baby footprint cupcake holder full of candy.

Baby decorations were pinned to the walls and a feast of chili, stew, salad, and veggies were served to the about 30 guests in attendance. A table with an elegant cake stood off to the side flanked by baby pictures of Brent and I.

After all the guests had eaten, we played the Meller Baby Quiz! that I prepared for everyone ahead of time. Although I guess I made it a bit too hard, as the two people who got the most answers correct out of 17 were my cousins Breanne and Alexis, who answered 12 correctly.

Then, unbeknownst to me, my mom and sister played a game in which they asked everyone to write down how big my belly was. (And I refuse to acknowledge that the 42 inches it turned out to be is the relative height of a child in middle school.)

The gift-opening followed, and although I felt a little awkward to be opening presents in front of a large room of people, the adorable outfits, bibs, toys, and baby gadgets ended up being the stars of the show. 

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family who worked so hard to throw me a gorgeous shower and make sure I'm as prepared as I can be to welcome the little guy home.

Love you guys!
 

Baby Newsletter Week 32

Below is a copy of one of the weekly newsletters my friend, Heather, sent to our friends at work during my pregnancy as the BPA (Baby Personal Assistant):

Baby is a…. Jicama!!!

Baby Jicama:

-Baby is taking up a lot of room now! And baby is gaining half of every pound mama is adding! 

-He has toenails, fingernails, and REAL hair (or at least some peach fuzz!)

-Baby's skin is also becoming soft and smooth… and will after thanks to Johnson and Johnson!

Mama Jicama:

-To accommodate her baby's growing needs, her blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent… meaning that if she get's a paper cut she will be gushing blood! Ok, maybe not, but that's a lot of blood!

-Thanks to the uterus now pushing up near her diaphragm and crowding her stomach we are having some nasty consequences- shortness of breath and good ole heartburn. -Cures: sleeping propped up with pillows, smaller meals more often, and relaxing some, normal activities are just not as possible (ie- cleaning, cooking)

-Some lower back pain. If it grows worse than Erika needs to contact her caregiver asap. (again, less stress and activities at home will help!)

-The usual- shift of gravity, hormonal changes, and loosened joints! 

We love you mama!!! Can't believe it's already October 1st!!!! Enjoy every moment and Brent better be pampering you! :-)

Heather, the official BPA