Ultrasound This Morning

Kim and I would like you all to meet our daughter to be, Pearl Allison Bowman (85% sure it's a girl).

Mommy Is My Little Obedient Housewife (Yeah Right!!!)

Last night Kim and I decided that she would quit her job because of the heat at her work, and the fact that I am bringing home more bread anyway. She is now a happy little housewife, barefoot and pregnant even. So in honor of this special occasion in our little family unit I have decided to share this Circa 1955 "Housekeeping Monthly: Good Wife's Guide". I don't expect Kim to really follow this though, that would be very misogynistic of me. However, it is so very funny to read this stuff...

*The Good Wife's Guide*

*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favourite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people

*Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

*Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

*Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc and run a dustcloth over the tables.

*Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

*Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimise all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

*Be happy to see him.

*Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

*Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

*Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

*Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew his body and spirit.

*Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.

*Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

*Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

*Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

*A good wife always knows her place.

I didn't highlite the lines in the picture, that's how I found it on a Google Image search...

Fetal development in pregnancy week 27

Your not-so-tiny-anymore swimmer (2 pounds and about 14.5 inches long!) is slowly rotating in preparation to “head out.” Obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but when you start to feel an unfamiliar pressure on your cervix, you’ll know you’ve got a fully flipped baby locked and loaded for the countdown to their birthday! Even now, at the beginning of the third trimester, their little lungs are already capable of breathing air, while the pulmonary vascular system can provide sufficient gas exchange, and the central nervous system can generally regulate rhythmic breathing as well as their basal body temperature. For what it’s worth, at this point in a healthy pregnancy a premature child (with intensive care) could easily win on the show: “Survivor: The Early Years.”

I love new clothes!

My fashion sense took a nose dive when my belly started growing. I took to wearing my soft, old camouflage shorts almost 24/7. Damn, I was starting to feel down from my lack of things to wear. Then came a lovely pink shirt from Susan, proudly stating "Beauty, Brains & Belly"! Next a beautiful turquoise, oh so soft top from Aunt Bobbie! Thank you so much for the inspiration ladies, I needed a kick in the butt!

I needed something that fit to wear with those snazzy tops, so off I went in search of a pair of pants or skirt. Found an adorable jean skirt, and 3 tank tops as well. I feel like a new woman!

Bean is squirming and kicking like mad. I'm so excited about the ultrasound on Wednesday. Please Dexter or Pearl, cooperate with us! The thought of seeing this little one again makes me smile. I can't imagine what I'll feel when we finally meet face to face.

I can't wait to see Clay holding his child. That beautiful sight will be ingrained in my memory for life.

Fetal development in pregnancy week 26

At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!