Sad Face

Freja. & I met some friends at the park today for some sledding. It's a common theme this winter! Here she is watching Julie & Sawyer load up in their car. You can just see the disbelief on her face that we were all headed in different directions. Definitely a "Mommy how could you!" moment. So so sad whenever it's time to say goodbye.

Sled Heads

After several weeks of cold, cold weather (think lows below zero, every day, for weeks!) we're getting some warmer sunny days up here in the mountains. Freja & I have had a little cabin fever with such cold weather, so we were so happy to get out & about and soak up some vitamin D today. We met up with Willow & Brian at the Willits Park for some sledding and as you can see from the picture above, all the fun led to some big smiles (and a few tears when it was time to leave the park).

We've finally got an official closing date on the house, February 19. That week will be extra busy and extra special, as we celebrate Freja's big #2 birthday, close on the house and start the moving process all within a few days. Baby 2.0 is due just two weeks later, so we'll have LOTS to keep ourselves busy & distracted unpacking and getting settled before she arrives.

What's the baby up to at 33 weeks?

Your baby's crown-to-rump length is about 17 inches. She weighs about 4 1/2 pounds (about the size of a pineapple) and gains about eight ounces every week.

Your baby has probably moved to the head-down position and may descend into your pelvis at any time in the next six weeks and begin to press into your cervix. This position not only prepares her for birth but allows blood to flow to her developing brain. The dark quiet of your womb is perfect for this activity. Right now, your baby is also in the process of receiving your antibodies. If she were born right now, her immune system would be immature, and extra care would need to be taken to keep her in a sterile environment.

Day at the Park

Freja & I ran a few errands this morning, so while we were out we stopped at Crown Mountain Park to burn off some energy. It was pretty cold, with temps in the teens, but with the Colorado sunshine it seemed quite a bit warmer. Freja really doesn't like walking in snow, even with those big burly boots on, so she'll stop where the cleared-off sidewalk ends and the snow begins, and say "Mommy, I carry you." I gave her a lift once in a while but am trying to get her used to snow. We do live in the mountains after all.

Baby 2.0 is moving so much, big roly-poly movements that stop me in my tracks sometimes, and are usually visible from the outside. I've said before that it's reassuring feeling her movements, but, uhhh. I'm getting to a point where I could do with less powerful punches! She really keeps me up at night, if not from all the kicking and rolling, from using my bladder as a trampoline. Wonder what else she is up to at 31 weeks?

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath her skin. She's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Happy Holidays!

Jan & I took Freja to our 30-week ultrasound appointment today in the hopes that she would get more excited about the baby if she got to actually see her. While she was somewhat interested in the ultrasound machine, the baby, not so much. And so it goes.

For our part we were happy to see the baby growing just like she should be, see that heart beating and little hands & feet showing off coordinated punches & kicks. Our doctor tried to get a good 3-D ultrasound picture, but the baby kept her fists up close to her face most of the time. We were able to view a couple of 3-D pictures - enough for us to decide she looks just like Freja! - but none were really worthy of posting here.

We are having our family Christmas this Saturday because Jan had to go up to work yesterday. So for now, no pictures of Freja tearing through the stack of presents - but coming soon. Here is a little snippet of her singing along as she reads a favorite new (library) book, Frosty the Snowman. Over & over & over again.....! I don't think I could ever get tired of hearing that little voice singing. Love.

Sledding!

Sledding!  We got a new sled for Freja.  This was her first day playing with it.  She doesn't seem to like walking through the snow but she loved the sled and going fast!

Snowing!

Today's video clip shows me going in to get Freja up this morning. It's usually a funny & entertaining time for her, as she is well rested and in a great mood. She will just jabber away in there until we go in to get her, no matter how long she's been awake or what condition her diaper is in. She was pretty excited to see all the snow this morning as you can see!

In baby 2.0 news, our still-nameless TBD is moving so much these days, it's getting harder & harder for me to get a good night's sleep. She moves throughout the day too, but it's about the time I'm ready to go to bed that she delivers the big punches & kicks. Our next check-up is next Wednesday, and Jan & I are both eager to see her again via ultrasound, something we haven't done since the 20-week mark.

I'm currently at 28 1/2 weeks pregnant. Wonder what else Freja Junior is up to?
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Happy holidays to each & everyone of you!

Snow Day!

After a very dry and warm start to the winter we've finally gotten some snow here in the Roaring Fork Valley. At long last, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With the snow came a huge change in temperatures, with highs near 50 last week but only in the teens today - and the low supposed to be below zero tonight. We'll all be bundled up from here on out and hoping for more snow that we can go out & play in. Freja loves seeing the snow fall and getting to play in it too, so much so that Jan had a hard time getting her back inside shortly after this photo was taken this morning. No Daddy, I want to play!

In other news as most of you know it's been a busy week in real estate for the Koorn family. We found a house we love in Carbondale and are hoping to move in around February 1 - giving me a month to settle in & unpack before the arrival of baby #2. Our townhome is officially on the market as of Tuesday, and since then we've had six showings with more to come this week. I'm already in pregnant-hypernesting mode, and started packing things up yesterday in anticipation of the big move. I suppose it's nice to have so much to distract me from all the energy I've been putting in to baby names, and of course just being pregnant in general.

I'm 27 weeks pregnant now - one more week to go then I'll be in the third trimester! Tick tock.
This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.