Week 30

This week the baby’s size is comparable to a butternut squash- my favorite! Big on the growth charts is our baby’s brain. Grooves and wrinkles begin to take form, allowing the baby to do things like regulate body temperature- something my body doesn’t seem to do so well anymore! Muscles and lungs are also getting bigger and stronger. It’s hard to believe that there is still 2.5 months left.

On Wednesday, I have the joy of trying the glucose test again- 3 hours of blood work and 15 hours of not eating. Needless to say, I am NOT looking forward to this. Lucky for me, Eric promises to take me out to eat after that!

Christmas came early for us. On Friday, we got our video camera! Look out Steven Spielberg, here comes Eric Schepis. I’m sure Christmas will be interesting as Eric tries to capture all the fun moments. He is already reading the manual cover to cover.

Alright everyone- we’ll let you know how Wednesday goes! Until then, 12 days until Christmas!

Love, Katy

Week 29

Week 29 is here! Baby Schepis is about 17 inches long, possibly 3 inches from the final length. The weight is also increasing to 3 pounds. It’s hard to believe such a package is curled up inside. Because of the additional fat that is filling out the baby (plumping up for the big day) it is common for the baby to increase elbow jabs with a the tighter space. Hmmmm…

Eric and I have had an exciting week. Last night, we attended the annual Upstate Gala, a black tie affair that raised money this year for the new cancer facility that will be added on to the hospital. As guests of the Neurosurgery department, we dressed to impress, threw up our heels and had a good time. Unfortunately, the fun ended for Cinderella and Prince Charming at midnight- but the dress and shoes are here to stay! Maybe we can find another venue to wear such pretty attire!

Monday is our next big appointment- the glucose test! We’ll let you know how it goes along with any exciting news we hear!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season- good luck braving the Christmas shopping craziness!

Love, Katy

Week 28

Third trimester, here we come! Baby Schepis reaches almost 16 inches in length this week and weighs about 2.5 pounds! Not surprising, the kicks are getting MUCH stronger and more frequent. Blinking is more regular and dreaming may also be happening as the baby gets into a more set sleep pattern…of course, I don’t think there is much sleeping going on as I have been getting kicked nonstop this Thanksgiving break. Along with feeling hiccups (too cool!), it has been a fun week!

During this holiday break, Eric and I have been busy- me making a turkey with all the fixings, Eric working on his paper. We did have our neighbor Mary over to help us put a small dent in our 12.5-pound bird, but there is still so much left over! Today I’ll be busy cooking some turkey noodle soup and a turkey pot pie. Then, I think it's time we freeze the rest because we have definitely had our fill...

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We miss you all and can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!

Love, Katy

Week 27

Eric wants to know why I can’t liken the baby’s development to bike parts. So, at his request, I’ll do my best. Let’s see if this baby is bike worthy…As we “roll” into week 27, Baby Schepis is the length of the handlebars on Eric’s bike and the weight of his race wheels (15 inches, 2 pounds!). As the baby pedals circles around my tummy, tastes buds are at their life peak, tasting more now than they ever will. Also on the rise is the baby’s drinking and breathing movements, which help it get ready for that first big gulp of air (and later, many big breaths as it motors up the hill on a bike).

Happy biking everyone! Love Katy

It's a beaut, Clark!

Yes, it's a little early, but with Mom and Dad Kramers up for an early Thanksgiving celebration, we decided to just buy our Christmas tree! Let me tell you, the extra hands came in handy. Between Eric and Dad, the tree was cut and on the car before I could say "Timber!"

We wasted little time in putting the tree up and decorating it, all while listening to Christmas music. After our official Thanksgiving dinner, we topped off our evening with a little Griswald "Christmas Vacation." It doesn't get much better than that. So...Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Week 26

Welcome to the week of the rutabaga, a hefty veggie that weighs about 1.5 pounds. Also impressive is the length of the baby- 13.5 inches from head to foot! This week, the baby is working on adding some fat underneath those layers of skin. I should mention, too, that hair with pigment is growing. Such big milestones...

Things are still going well with us. I have been taking down the halloween decorations while Eric works on the last paper! We are also getting ready to pull out the Christmas stuff and clean up the office space for the nursery! Man, Eric is going to be busy- have you seen our filled closets??

Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone! Talk to you soon!

Love Katy

So what week are we in anyway?

Eric and I went to our 24 week appointment today to find out that in fact, we are a few days further along than they originally thought. My chart had 3 different dates between the various sonograms. After a few minutes of discussion and due date pregnancy wheels, we were given a new official date of February 27th. Keep in mind, that still leaves a window of about 2 weeks on either end in which the baby could be born. This all being said, I am going to change the update days to Saturdays!

As far as today's appointment goes, we learned that all our numbers are great! The baby is doing well and excatly where they would like it to be. I can't complain with that!

Eric and I are up to the same old stuff. We had a great weekend weather-wise and actually got a chance to enjoy what may be the last of the warm weather around here. Of course, I was flipping through the radio on Sunday night and found a station already in full swing with the Christmas music. Apparetnly they make the switch on Novemeber 1st. Man, I have to get Christmas shopping!

And on a last note, happy birthday to all the November babies! Elena, Tim, and Emily- enjoy your day!!!! Talk to you all soon! Love Katy

Whoa Momma! Look at the belly now! I don't understand those stories of women not knowing they are pregnant until birth. I don't know how you could miss something like this?!

Week 24

Once again, Baby Schepis is kicking and rolling like crazy! At about 1.5 pounds and 8.5 inches, the kicks definitely have some push to them. Amazingly, there is a full set of eyelashes, eyebrows, and now hair. Other than this, a lot of growth is coming in the form of weight gain. The baby is gaining about 6 oz. of fat each week.

As for me and Eric, sleeping is getting tough. I boil, Eric freezes. I wake up hungry, Eric sleeps through the alarm. Last night I woke up three times, one of which was because of intense leg cramps. Holy cow- it HURT! Time for more potassium, water, and stretching I guess! Maybe I just need a massage...

I did get the H1N1 flu shot this week. We've got huge numbers of kids absent every day, all of which seem to be diagnosed with Swine flu. It's crazy! Don't worry, we are keeping out hands washed and consuming lots of vitamin C. So far, so good...

Talk to you soon! Love Katy

The latest picture

Here's my latest picture!

Week 23

So as we roll into the next month (yes, I am officially 5 months pregnant), Baby Schepis continues to play bumper boats with my belly! Man, are these kicks getting big! Word has it that over the course of this next month, the baby will be doubling its weight. That’s right- this week alone, the baby increases it’s weight from 1 to 1¼ pounds. The baby has also grown to a little over 8 inches.

As for what’s new, I have recently started swimming again. While Eric rides the rollers, I jump into the nicely heated pool. I know, life is tough. We have also signed up for our baby classes, which start in January. It should be interesting!

That’s about it for this week! Happy Halloween!!

Week 22

Baby Schepis is awake and kicking! Yes, those kicks are definitely getting stronger...as they should be! The baby weighs about one pound and is eight inches in length. Senses are strengthening and supposedly, light is even sensed. How do they know this stuff?!

Eric and I are doing well. While Eric plows through his work, I am sorting through all those baby "necessities." There are so many products and opinions! Any suggestions are welcome- I think I have exhausted Sarah, Elena, and Alyssa with question after question!

I hope everyone is doing well. Until later- keep those hands washed and drink lots of OJ...Haha!

-Katy

Week 21

We’re slipping into week 21, as Baby Schepis gets as long as a large banana! At about 11 ounces and 7 inches, the baby is kicking up a storm (you can actually see this from the outside!) as the neurons are better connecting the brain and muscles, and cartilage hardens into bone.  The baby can also now taste the food better as it swallows amniotic fluid.  I hope it likes peanut butter and jelly!

Eric and I had our 20-week sonogram today and everything checked out as we hoped. We could count the toes and fingers, see the chambers of the heart, and watch as the baby jumped around! We decided against finding out whether the baby is male or female, which means we have to wait another quick 20 weeks to find out.

I'm still feeling good.  Of course, a visit from my old friend Laura has kept me smiling for days now!  She came this weekend for a belated birthday trip (Happy 29^th Laura!), a little bike riding, and some plain old girl talk. 

I hope all is well with everyone!  We’ll talk to you soon!

-Katy

My growing baby bump!

Week 20

Just about halfway there! And man, my belly is starting to show! Yes, I told my students and heard many funny comments back, like “Can you see your toes?” You have to love the fact that they will say ANYTHING!

This week, the baby is the size of a small cantaloupe (10 ounces, 6.5 inches head to rump). Those growing legs and arms are definitely moving like crazy! Last night, Baby Schepis kept us entertained for almost a half hour with kicks and punches. Each time Eric asked it to kick, sure enough it would! I can guess that this game may get old as the baby gets even stronger, but for now, it’s fun.

I hope all is well with you all! I’ll have Eric take some pictures this weekend so you can check out the developing bump. Until then, keep on growing Baby Schepis!

-Katy

Week 19

Here we are at week 19! Time is flying. This week, Baby Schepis is about the size of a mango or heirloom tomato (sorry Dad K- It looks like we skipped right past apples!) weighing about 8.5 ounces and measuring close to 6 inches. The brain is “specializing” smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch areas. Legs and arms are in proportion to the body and hair is starting to sprout on the head! Kidneys are starting to work, though I think mine are still a lot stronger!

As for Eric and I, we had a great birthday weekend! Mom and Dad Schepis arrived bearing gifts of food (the fridge and freezer are full!) and birthday presents (thanks everyone!). We spent the weekend eating, apple picking, walking, and listening to the SU marching band. Needless to say, time flew by and the weekend ended before we knew it. No worries- the left over food and cakes are a great reminder of the fun!

Two more weeks and Eric and I head back to the doctors for our next ultrasound. As of right now, I think we’ll let the baby’s gender be a surprise, though we could find out if we wanted. Until then, it’s work for us both, a visit from Laura, and probably a lot of sleeping for me!
We miss you all!
-Katy

Tiny kicks!

Surprise! They finally came! Last night, after a long, rainy day, Eric and I crawled into bed.  Just as I was about to fall asleep, I began to feel a different sort of feeling than my typical night gurgles. Sure enough, when I had Eric touch my belly, he could feel faint, irregular little flutters, too. So neat, so cool! We just had to share :)

Week 18

Baby Schepis is now the size of a sweet potato, weighing in at about 6.7 ounces and measuring about 5.6 inches in length! And although I can’t feel it yet, the baby is getting ready for gymnastics doing things like rolling, twisting, kicking, etc.

We had a doctor appointment yesterday and were able to once again listen to the heartbeat (140 beats per minute), which is always exciting! We’re not due for another sonogram until October, but did have the pleasure of giving SEVEN vials of blood for testing purposes. I shouldn’t complain- it was relatively quick and painless.

As many of you know, it is a birthday/anniversary filled week! (Happy anniversary Jon and Sarah, Elena and Austin! Happy birthday Jon and Margo!)  Eric and I are celebrating my birthday pretty low key with pizza, wings,  and cake- ice cream cake that is! On Friday, Mom and Dad Schepis arrive for Eric’s birthday dinner, apple picking and maybe a little football- GO SU! Did you all see the SU game on Sunday, by the way? Very Nice!

Anyway, thank you all for the birthday wishes and songs! We miss you!

-Katy

 

17th week

We're moving right along from an avocado to an onion! Baby Schepis weighs around 5 ounces and is about 5 inches long.  The cartilage is starting to harden into bone while fat is beginning to accumulate.  The baby can swallow and the heart beat (now controlled by the brain) is about 140-150 beats per minute. Perhaps the most cool of all, however, is that prints are present on the fingers and toes!  I'm still waiting to feel those little kicks...

Things are good with me as I make my way through the second week of school. While a little tired at the end of the day, I can honestly say this is one of the best starts to a new school year! I'm just wondering how long I can get away without telling my students about the pregnancy. With all the birthday cake around the corner, I am sure I won't be able to hide it much longer!

Eric, too, is motoring through his 4th paper. One more to go and then it's show time! Talk about a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, if he can just figure out how to fit biking 8 hours a day into having a baby, finishing his dissertation, and finding a job, life would be absolutely perfect! Who says you can't have it all?!

One last thing- our appointment for today was moved until next Monday. Suits me fine as I was told it is a major blood taking session and we don't even get a peek at the baby. Is 8 vials REALLY necessary?! I think our next ultrasound is during the 20 week appointment. Hopefully we'll have new sonogram pictures then!

Later gators!

-Katy

View from the top of the Statue of Liberty

Week 16 here we come!

Baby and I are completing our 15th week! We are moving from a navel orange to an avocado (4.6 inches, 3.5 oz.).  Even more amazing is that the baby may be able to hear our voices because bones in the ears are starting to form.  Also growing are eyebrows, lashes, hair, and taste buds.  It's hard to believe so many changes are happening!

As for Eric and I, we just returned from a whirlwind trip to New York City with the Ehrensbergers. In less than three days, we visited Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 memorial and museum, the Museum of Natural Science, Verdi Square, top of Rockefeller, the Today show, Greenwich Village, Times Square, Central Square, and the Subway!  We also enjoyed SEVERAL NYC bagels.

We have our next sonogram next Tuesday. We'll let you know how it goes! 

-Katy

We're having a baby!

The news is out! Eric and I are having a baby! Right now, I am about 14 weeks pregnant with a due date of March 3, 2010. So far, I am feeling good and eager for the next few months. The baby is growing from the size of lemon to a navel orange. It's hard to believe something that size is already inside of me!

As far as everything else goes, things are getting hectic. School offically starts for me this Thursday and Eric is busy working away at his dissertation- almost there! The New York State Fair is here and we hope to get there for some famous ice cream and people watching. Maybe with the chaos of the new year, I will forget how tired I get (fat chance!).

Anyway, we are thinking of you all and will keep you updated on what's happening with the baby!

-Katy