26 Weeks

How your baby's growing?

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber . . . seriously? who picks these items) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

What your baby looks like this week:

Comments for Colleen:

We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon and then our repeat ultrasound in about two weeks. Yes, I made another onesie . . .

And, Patrick's Valentine's present finally arrived. The gist of what we learned: Babies do very little for a long time. Babies can do math. Gravity's a b%*&. Babies like shiny red balls. Got it.

Things to do:

1. Sign up for a birthing/childcare class: (Patrick insists that this is unnecessarily, and it might be; however, after this little episode, I think it might be a good idea. Although Patrick insists he is good under pressure, I think most people who actually know him might agree that his abilities in this particular type of situation are limited (another example - Cutting his finger ='d running out front door, no bandage, me in PJ's, the back door open, raw meat on the counter, the dogs running around in anticipation).

2. Sign up for an Infant CPR Class: I'm already certified, but I think the above comments once again apply

3. Pick a paint color and fabric for recovering rocker: probably light blue (crazy choice i know). We can do this now because we have almost all of our bedding - thanks to grandma and grandpa (aka Papi and Mami) going a little crazy on the Pottery Barn registry.

4. Pick a crib (and changing table)

5. Pick a pediatrician