Jacob is 6.25 months (25 weeks)

The structures of the spine begin to form -- joints, ligaments and rings. These will protect the all important spinal cord which serves as the information transmitter for your child's body.

Blood vessels of the lungs develop.

Your baby's nostrils begin to open. There is a study out of Belfast that suggests babies at this stage have the capability of scent preferences!

The nerves around the mouth and lip area are showing more sensitivity now. When baby is rooting for food later on, these will be valuable!

His swallowing reflexes are developing.

Dexterity is improving. Your baby can make a fist and would clasp objects placed in palm.

Your child has now obtained an approximate length of 13.6 inches and weighs 1.46 pound.

My lonely, chubby finger...

So I'm swelling. My hands are swelling and my feet are swelling. No ankle swelling yet. I haven't been able to wear my diamond and today was the first day I couldn't wear my wedding band. It is so sad. My hands are so swollen that they hurt when I make a fist or try to write. Yes, I'm drinking water. I was a "sweller" before the baby so I can't say that I am surprised. Today I did discover that I can wear my sapphire ring (that I normally wear on my right hand) very comfortably on my left hand and that made my morning! I hope to get just a plain band (a size a little bigger than my sapphire ring in case I swell more - my sapphire ring will hold it on until I out-swell that and can't wear it anymore), but we will see. I tried to convince Adam to buy me a "pregnancy" version of my wedding band, but he didn't jump at the idea. I don't know why. =)

Adam has been kicked!

Last night, I was sitting on the couch and Jacob starting kicking really hard. He kicked a couple of times and I was enjoying it and quietly called Adam over to feel. Now, I have to be quiet and still when I have Adam try and feel him kick, because he gets shy if I move or talk. Adam put his hand on my belly and waited no more than 2 min and then it happened - Jacob kicked! Adam said, "was that him?!?" Adam's face lit up when he realized it was his son kicking him. I want it to happen again just to watch Adam's face. He was just too excited. After that one kick, Jacob was done and didn't want to kick that hard again. Hopefully very soon there will be more kicks for Adam to feel. Adam has been waiting so patiently to be able to share in this part. I can't wait for it to happen again and again!

I'm just too excited!

So I'm so excited about what we picked out for Jacob that I just had to share what his stroller, car seat and pack 'n play look like. Isn't it just too cute?!? I love it!

To see his furniture you will just have to come and visit. We should have it up and the room painted by early December. I can't wait! He is going to be here faster than we know it. I am so anxious for Christmas, not because it will be Christmas, but that means that the next big event will be meeting Jacob!

Jacob is 6 months old!

Bring on the bulk! Baby gains about 6 ounces this week. The weight is in muscle, bone mass and organs.

His body begins to fill out with his appearance increasingly becoming more like a newborn.

Taste buds begin to form. If mom drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.

Little creases have appeared on his palms. The muscular coordination of his hands has improved as he sucks his thumb.

Over the next seven days the sweat glands will be forming in the skin.

His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

This week your baby is officially considered viable. (Finally!)

Baby weighs 1.3 pound and is 11.8 inches long -- almost the length of a ruler!

We are registered!

Saturday Adam and I registered. It was so much fun - well Target was overwhelming and Babies R Us was more fun.

Target: we started there and tried to register for as much as possible there. The prices are better and it is more convenient for people. I found myself very overwhelmed by picking out everything. How many pacifiers do I need? What if he doesn't like the bottles I picked out? Oh my, I need towels and wash cloths - how many? Burp cloths - how many is too many? Is there really a thing as too many burp cloths? I like the soft kind - which one is that? Oh my, I was very overwhelmed. Adam did good for the most part. He got a little tired at the end and was not looking forward to an entire store of baby stuff next.

Babies R Us: this was much easier. It was more fun for Adam because we picked out the bath and stroller and things like that. We tried to register for all of our big stuff there (although, we did register for the high chair and swing at Target because I liked it better there). By the time we got there, I was just scanning things - blankets, bottles, all sorts of stuff. I think we got everything. Did you know you had to buy a mattress for the crib? They can be really expensive! We chose the cheapest one because (1) Jacob will never know the difference and (2) we picked out some expensive things so we were trying to find a balance. It is so hard to know what we will need. My fear is that he will not have any clothes or I'll use all my burp cloths in one day or what if I need something and don't have it? It was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but so much fun. We did order our furniture (even though that is what we are asking for for Christmas - we needed to make sure it will be in in time) so that was fun to know that we will be able to get that shortly.

All in all, I think it was a success. Adam enjoyed it (victory!) and I think we got everything we need. Who knows! Thankfully Walgreens is just around the corner for the emergency runs!

REALLY funny video! Anyone who has EVER gone into a nail salon or even walked by it can probably relate. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o