Jeffrey Ryan is here!

Pictures of Jeffrey Ryan coming soon :)

Someone can't wait for Christmas...

Jamie was admitted to the hospital this afternoon after her water broke.

Jeffrey is coming soon!!!

BABY WATCH: Week 1

A few months ago we all guessed at when Jeffrey would arrive. Here are the guesses for this week....

Jamie- Dec 17, 11:45 am

Tonita- Dec 19, 4:42 am

Jen- Dec 22, 5:25 am

Baby Bolin: 38 weeks

Baby Jeffrey has really fattened up. He likely weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds now (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and he is probably between 19 and 20 inches long.

He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test with your pinky! His organs are fully developed and in place, but his lungs and brain — though developed enough for him to function now — will continue to mature right through childhood.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If your baby is born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If he's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time he's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after he's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How mom's life is changing:

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. Take it easy through the day — this may be your last opportunity to do so for quite a while.

Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too. Though he's crowded, he should still be active.

Swelling of your feet is normal in these last weeks, but if you notice any swelling of your hands or face, sudden weight gain, persistent or severe headaches, blurry vision or spots before your eyes, or upper abdominal pain, call your practitioner right away, because these are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

You and your hubby should relax and enjoy some activities you won't have time for after the baby arrives!

Baby Bolin: 37 weeks

Congratulations! Your pregnancy is now considered full term — meaning your baby is developmentally ready to handle life outside the womb.

Baby Jeffrey probably weighs a little over 6 pounds at this point and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children are born blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

The next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps and catch up on your reading while you can.

Have you noticed an increase in the frequency or vividness of dreams lately? Anxiety about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange pregnancy dreams.You may be getting a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions now, and they may last longer and be more uncomfortable. Sometimes — when they start to come frequently — you may even think you're in labor.

Baby Jeffrey could come any day now!

Baby Bolin: 36 weeks

Baby Jeffrey is still putting on the pounds — about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long.

He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected his skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid.

At the end of this week, Baby Jeffrey will be considered full-term.

How Mom's life is changing:

While your baby continues to grow and crowd your internal organs, you may find that you're not as hungry as you were a few weeks ago. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point.

On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to drop down lower in your pelvis. This dropping — called lightening or engagement — is more likely to happen before labor if this is your first baby. When it does, though, you may feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, making walking increasingly uncomfortable. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs, or as if the baby is going to fall out. (Don't worry, he won't!)

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are a little more frequent now. Be sure to review with your practitioner exactly when and where to call her when you think your labor has started. As a general rule, you should call when you start having regular contractions coming every five minutes for about an hour. You should also call without delay if your water breaks (or if you even think you're leaking amniotic fluid), if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, severe headaches, abdominal pain, or changes in your vision.

Hint:

"Eating in" Start collecting take-out and delivery menus from local restaurants. You won't have time to cook in the early weeks after giving birth. Even restaurants without a visible take-out business will usually accommodate a to-go order (especially if it's for a new mom!)."

Jeffrey's Birthday Game

December is almost here and Jeffrey's birthday is drawing near...

Here are the guesses that everyone has made so far about his birthday!

Baby Bolin: 35 weeks

Baby Jeffrey is getting big. He weighs a tad over 5 pounds and is just over 18 inches long.

Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same.

His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

This Week's Activity:

Get a haircut.




Ask your stylist for an easy cut that will look good even if you wash and go. (You won't always have time for blow drying or styling.) Also request a cut that will grow out nicely. It may be quite some time before you can get back in for a touch-up.

Bailey is a Mommy Too!

... and a soon-to-be Big Sister :)

Baby Bolin: 34 weeks

Baby Jeffrey now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is probably almost 18 inches long from the top of is head to the bottom of his feet.

His central nervous system is still maturing, but his lungs are well developed now. That's great news in case he decides to come early!

If you've been nervous about going into preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that 99 percent of babies this age can survive outside the womb — and most have no major long-term problems related to prematurity.

How Mom’s life is changing:

You may be feeling a little fatigued lately, and that's perfectly understandable. Let yourself slow down and save some energy for labor day. If you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, try wearing a maternity belt that supports your abdomen and helps redistribute some of the weight. And if you've been sitting or lying down for a long time, don't jump up too quickly. Blood can pool in your feet and legs, which may cause a temporary (but rapid) drop in your blood pressure and make you feel dizzy when you get up.