HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE GREG!!!

Now when does the cake come???!!!

Yoga!

Hey Bean....
My back has really been bothering me lately, especially at night. I decided to check out some yoga DVD's to see if the stretching would help. I couldn't seem to find the right spot on my own when I stretched, so I figured some granola lady from the UK in an organic stretch suit might be able to help me. :) Tonight your sweet daddy agreed to do the video with me. He was such a good sport; he even hung on through the parts where we had to put our hands around the baby and send positive mental messages (you got those, right?) and the quite anatomical discussion of strengthening the pelvic floor. The best part is, my back actually feels some better! I am going to have to keep up my yoga practicing.....the dog and cat were of course very interested, as well. Beaux did his stretching routine right across where we were trying to sit, and the dog just moved between us sniffing our noses and bringing her toys.

Goin' to the chapel....

Here we are at Kristen's wedding, little bean. Fun times and getting to see all of the family was great! And the cake....mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Seriously, that many mmmmm's!




Your Papa John and I were checking to see who had the bigger tummy....After the yummy fettuccini, I definitely think I won. :)

Bean, the movie star!

Here is a link to some video of my ultrasound....
At first you can see the baby's hand up....then some shots of her heart (hard to see, but you can see a blob beating), then you can see her bootie and two legs and the shots where we found out it was a girl...After that is her little spine...The video continues on for quite some time, but we won't be offended if you stop when the music does. :)
Click here for video...

BTW--it takes a little bit to load, so if nothing comes up on your screen for a second or two, be patient. Also, it should play just fine for you, but if it won't play, try downloading the free application for playing .avi files.
Click here for divix app.

Also--turn on your sound!!

17 down....

Hey Little one!
You are officially 17 weeks today. You weigh about as much as a turnip, sticking with our fruit and veggie standard of measurement. :)

We made our first "big" baby purchase for you today...I think you're really gonna dig it. I go to the Salvation Army every Wednesday because all of their clothes are 1/2 off. I've really been able to get some great maternity clothes, which I will soon have to begin sporting if you keep growing so much!! The rubberband on the pants is beginning to get stretched to its limit!
Anyhow, I was looking through the book section today at the S.A. and the guys that work there were bringing in new arrivals to stock in the store. They wheeled in a jogging stroller, and I spotted it immediately. I checked it out, and it was in great shape and only $50, which isn't bad for a jogger! I definitely know I want one, as I hope to run and walk a lot with you after you're born. Maybe your daddy will even take you on a few of his runs, although don't count on it because he says even Alie slows him down....Anyhow, Matt and I had both agreed that we wouldn't buy any baby stuff until we had a bigger house to keep it in...But I called him anyhow and told him about the jogger and he said go for it. So...as I wheeled it to the front, several people eyed me enviously. The manager took it for me and set it near the cash register, and I had to keep telling people it was already mine because they kept trying to take it! Then when I went to pay, the manager winked at me and told me it was on sale today, and he took 25% off! So we got a REALLY good deal! I was psyched...Just another reason I love the SA!!

And the verdict is....

Portraits of the bean!

Today was your 17 week ultrasound! This picture is the first thing we saw when the ultrasound tech first got an image of you....your little hand waving hello to us! It was so precious and I love that she was able to capture a picture of it!
It was amazing to see the difference in how you look from today to last month, when we saw you. Today we could see your vertebrates, your ears, each little finger, your toes, your mouth open and close...You look a lot less like a blob and a whole lot more like a baby! Yeaaaa!!

The other three pictures are mostly of your head and face. The ultrasound today was longer than last time because she measured and examined all of your limbs and organs. She said you measured right on target to the day! Good job growing, little bean! Also, your brain is looking good. Hopefully you got a few of your genius daddy's neurons firing away in there. :) We also saw a color Doppler of your umbilical cord, and we're happy to know (and I'm sure you are, too) that you have all 3 vessels, which is a good thing, apparently! When the color Doppler was colorizing the different parts of you, it kinda looked like there was a thunderstorm in my tummy....It reminded me of the weather maps on the news all summer long in stormy Houston....

I tried to give you a little buzz this morning by eating a donut and drinking some orange juice...okay, and a few sips of Dr.P....and you were moving lots! No flips and turns like last time, but you are getting a little bigger now, so mostly we saw your arms and legs flailing around. The nurse (Aka Aunt Karen) and the ultrasound tech both commented on how active you were....I can't wait to start feeling you....they both predicted I should start noticing movement any time now. Aunt Karen says we should call you a jumpin' bean because you move so much!

Your daddy and I agree that you have yet to outgrow the alien look....matter of fact, I kinda think your face in the third picture resembles the Scream mask...but we know you still have five more months to finish "baking" in there, and you'll come out looking just perfect!

Stay tuned.....

For all you persons anxiously waiting on the gender status of the bean you will be finding out soon enough.
Big Daddy

Your first Bible!

Aunt Lynda and Uncle Mike gave you your first little Bible today for Easter. I love your little picture on the inside and the scripture they chose...

-Ps. 139

Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration--what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit; How I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day.
Your daddy and I are confident, little bean, that you are divinely planned and those days prepared for you are going to be grand!

Your little library...

I'm proud to say, Little bean, that you already have quite the library built up! Today you got two more additions from your Grandma Jerre for Easter. They are both so adorable! I can't wait to read them to you.






This book came from your Grandma Sue and GrandBob. Along with it was a little note saying how excited they are for your arrival!

This book was yours before you even existed! My momma gave it to me for Christmas for my future little ones, and that, Bean, is you! You just took ownership of it a little sooner than we expected. :)

This book was from Aunt Karen....This is my favorite page, and of course the reason why Karen chose it.





I think I am going to make a new rule about book giving, though....We gotta get these things autographed by the givers so you can remember later on who they came from!
I am also going to have to get your daddy to build you some little shelves that can hold your book collection. Being the reading teacher I am, I am probably not going to be able to resist putting them into little baskets by genre. ;)

Snap, crackle, pop??

My friend Amy emailed me today:

I had a dream you sent me a card saying you were having a girl. You also sent pictures of these care bear looking creatures, and said you were doing the nursery in bears. I don’t know if it is a premonition or what...Although, I’m not sure about the bear theme.

I promised Amy no bears....and we'll see if she's paranormal on Tuesday when we find out if it's a girl or not.

In college I had this very long, vivid dream where I gave birth to a baby and it turned out to be made of rice krispies. My mom put the baby in a plastic sand bucket and told me I couldn't hold it because it was still warm and had to get a little more solid. I named the rice krispie kid Samantha....so, as long as it isn't a rice krispie, I'll be happy either way. :)

I hope you agree with me, little bean, that Pat rocked last night....
Pictures here....

Beach Bum

Well, little one, here is the view from flat on my back, taken today at the beach. As you can see, there seems to be a slight bump in my middle, which of course, is you...Well, very little of it is actually you, but your little home, nonetheless.
More Pictures (click)

A little more rodeo...

Well, little bean, your momma hates for you to grow up as a city-bean, so we're doing the best we can to keep a little country in you....tonight is rodeo #2 for you! We're hoping to get there early so we can see the livestock exhibits...I love looking at all the strange types of cows. Sorry you won't be able to see them yet, but the upside of that is that you also won't have to smell them. (ewwww). Then I promise you a much better theatrical performance than last time. Pat Green is one of your mommy's very favorite musicians, and I say musician, because Pat writes his own music and plays guitar in all of them....Some good ole' Texas country!! He tends to attract a rowdy crowd, and his concerts are always at the end of spring break, so the past few years I think we've gotten our fair share of 2nd hand smoke (and not from tobacco)....Don't worry, we'll find a 'weed free' seat tonight--we can't be having you get a buzz before you're even born!

We're at 16 weeks!

Today, little bean, is your 16 week mark! You are now the size of an avocado...not sure if that's a large hass avocado or what...but at 4.5 inches you are growing away! Your hair on your head starts appearing this week...most likely whitish-blond if you take after your daddy, who was a towheaded baby! Also, your fingernails and toenails are also growing....which makes me grimace a bit after seeing the movie Juno. :) Anyhow, we are getting more and more excited to see how much you've changed since the last ultrasound. Save some good wiggles and kicks for Tuesday, little bean!!

Spreading the news...

This, little bean, is your grandma and grandpa....They haven't decided what their official names will be yet, but they still have plenty of time. In February, to tell them about you, your daddy and I found the smallest bike helmet in all of Houston that DIDN'T have Sponge Bob or Spiderman or Dora on it (we're not so much into character stuff...). We mailed this to them, along with a card that had your first ultrasound picture on the front and a little poem that said:

A new little Lahmeyer is on the way,
We thought you might need this
when baby comes over to play.
Are you surprised?
So were we!!!!!!!!!!
We’ll know in a few more months
If it’s a him or a she.
The new little one picked a great date to deliver,
He/she’s schedule to arrive on the 3rd of September!

(By the way--September 3rd--my duedate--is my mom's birthday!!)

We mailed the package by priority on a Wednesday (Feb. 20th), thinking it would get there Friday or Saturday...of course the weekend went by...and Monday....and we were dying for them to get it! Finally on Tuesday it arrived and we got their phone call!!

So, little one, when you get big enough, you'd better believe your grandpa will have you on a little bike in your spider helmet! He and your daddy are both kinda hoping the Tour de France (or at least Tour de Wyoming) is in your future....You've got good genes for cycling from both sides of your family!!!

Lights, camera, action!

Little Bean, your daddy and I decided to spend a little bit of our tax refund on a new video camera so we can properly document your arrival and, of course, all the cute things you do from then on out....So we saw it as somewhat of a necessity! Your daddy has been reading all sorts of reviews and studying the world of digital video cameras online to find just the perfect one for us, and tonight we finally decided on THE ONE. So hope you are into being a movie star, because there's no escaping it!

Visiting the Doctor

Good Afternoon, my Little Bean!
Today was my 4 month check-up. Everything went well....I got to listen to your speedy little heartbeat on the doppler again, and Dr. White also told me the other noise was you kicking--and you were kicking a lot!! The noise sounded like little karate chops. :) Dr. White told me today that you sound like a boy. I told you, though, he likes to tease me, because last time he said your heartbeat sounded like a girl.
And.....the big news....I scheduled my next ultrasound for Tuesday morning (of next week), and if you are being cooperative, we'll find out if you're a he-bean or a she-bean. For some reason I still don't feel 100% that I want to find out, but of course your daddy does...and the rest of the world. I am sure I will be more than ready to know in a week, though. I am most excited about seeing you kick and move around. That is so much fun!! I should also start feeling your acrobatics in the near future. I've tried laying very still to see if I could feel anything, but it was hard to distinguish if the bubbles and gurgles and other noises a body makes are baby or something else....But I can't wait to feel you soon....so give me your best kicks, little one!

More good news and good friends...

Hi Little Bean!
We heard from one of your daddy and my best college friends, David, on Friday...He had been in the UK (poor baby) and had just gotten home and heard about you. He was very excited! By the way, if you're a girl, you'll have to call him David, but if you're a boy, you get the privilege of referring to him as Drobe. Just so you know. ;) Anyhow, it's so much fun to hear from friends who are so important to us and are very excited to hear you are coming soon. We can't wait for all of them (and us, too!) to meet you!

Silly Daddy

Hi Bean!
My big baby (your daddy) is quite under the weather this weekend. He had a big-time fever last night and has been pretty miserable. This morning I was headed to the grocery store and woke him up quick to ask if he wanted me to bring him anything in particular. His response was, "Just get some stuff for the baby." Not really sure what he thought you'd want from the grocery store. I think he was still a little delirious...I told him I didn't think you'd be eating much today. :) See, you're on your daddy's mind even when he's a tad bit loco from a virus. (By the way, hope you wanted ham, green beans, yeast rolls and mashed potatoes...cause that's what you got via that nifty little umbilical cord....mmmmm!)

yummy, yummy cheesecake

Yes, this is a giant turtle cheesecake covered in chocolate, caramel and nuts. A lady Matt works with sent this home for me today. Isn't that the sweetest? And I can't think of more perfect toppings! She let Matt choose from 3 flavors, plain, raspberry and turtle. Matt just said plain, but she said, "Your wife's pregnant, she needs some chocolate and caramel!" I DIG the way this lady thinks! And yes, I am eating half a slice (aren't you proud, Aunt Karen?) in my pj's. And washing it down with a big glass of milk...the one thing in our fridge that isn't frozen. We've had some fridge issues this week....don't get me started. Mmmm, back to the cheesecake.

Growing, growing....

Happy week 15, little one! In just seven days you've changed from a lemon to an apple size! (FYI--that's your daddy's favorite fruit).

Big Daddy!

Well, little bean, this is your daddy's first post on the blog. He is studying hard for when you get here. He is finding out all sorts of of new information that most guys his age are clueless about. I have been reading a book on what to expect, what to prepare for and most importantly how to take care of the special lady that is serving as your oven for the time being.

I am getting ready for you to be here. We are both making preparations for when you are here and are getting excited about the new life we will both soon share in.

Your grandparents are really looking forward to your arrival as well. They are as excited as we are.

I can't wait until the day that you are here in this world and I get to be the one to take care of you with the help of your wonderful mother. You are going to be a great blessing to us.

Big Daddy

Been meaning to tell ya....

By the way, your daddy says if you are a boy we're going to name you Mario. That's because pretty much all I've wanted to eat these past few months was pizza and spaghetti. Lots and lots of Italian food...Either that or Chester...my big craving right at the beginning of your existance was Cheetos by the bagful. Don't worry, though, he's just kidding.

Your daddy and I both guess that you're a girl. No big reason why, just a little premonition....We'll find out in a few more weeks if we're right or not! My sister also guesses girl, but no one else has officialized their prediction as of yet.....

*Update* My momma, your Grandma, has ruled in on her prediction, too, and she also thinks you're a girl! Matt's momma, another of your three grannies, thinks you're a boy...We'll see, we'll see!

Good news and good friends...

This weekend was a great one for me, Beanie, because three of my closest college pals heard that you're on the way....And of course I got to have some fun, looooong phone chats with them! Here's what they have to say about the news:

Just found out today! Amy got your post card and called me and we were both like does this mean what I think it means!? That's so exciting, I am sure terrifying too but maybe your past that utter shock phase by now :0) Can't wait to follow all the excitement on the baby bean blog. How are you feeling? -Heather

Well I was very surprised when I checked my mail today. I can't believe you are pregnant! I am a little shocked, but also really excited for you. Is it all starting to sink in? I hope you are feeling ok and able to enjoy this experience.I can't wait to hear more about it. Congrats! -Amy

Stephanie called me and she is super excited as well! She promised to come visit this summer, and Steph, now that it's in writing, I'm holding you to it!!!!

Leo said that you kinda resemble a little alien in your first picture. No offense, beano, but we have to agree. We actually put a little sticky note on the ultrasound picture we sent my parents that said "we hope it grows out of the alien stage."

My friend Adam said, "Good luck on the baby growing..."

Our buddy Jacob said, "That's the most incredible thing I'll hear all month. Your kid will have super powers. I can't wait til you all have vespas!"

T-Kill said, "The world needs more Lahmeyer's." Not sure if that is sarcastic or not. We'll choose to take it as not. :)

My sister, your Aunt Chelsea, got the ultrasound picture I sent her and she said, Wow. I thought it was going to be another pet or gun picture. I was really surprised. Congratulations!

And by the way, Bean, your Uncle Greg is going to try to talk you into being an Aggie, Aunt Mandy will likely mention those Longhorns, I am sure Mitch will do some UW recruiting, and your Papa John is on a mission to talk you into Harding just to annoy your daddy and I, but remember, you're an Eagle through and through...OC is in your blood, kid! Look at all these good pals we have to show for our red dirt days!!!

A little gift...

Your aunt Megan gave you a new CD today, little Bean. It's called GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU and it has all sorts of different lullabies. You can start hearing sounds at about 18 weeks, so we have about 3 to go until you can start jammin' out to your new tunes. I'm sorry that I'm probably too lazy to put headphones on my tummy (plus that's just a bit wierd...), but I will perhaps play it on my laptop for you to enjoy. My lap's pretty close to my tummy (and getting closer all the time), so that should do the trick. By the way, your daddy tells you goodnight every night (I made him stop yelling at my stomach because that, too, seemed wierd), and I don't think you can probably hear him right now, but soon enough, little one!

Your First Invite!

Look, little Bean, you get to come, too! (Good thing, because if you weren't invited, I am not exactly sure how we'd work out the logistics for that one...) So in about 3 more weeks we'll take you to your first wedding....of course there won't be much for you to see, but you can start learning the voices of all those Bergeron relatives....Believe me, it'll take a while, it's a big bunch! PS) Megan made fun of me last weekend because we were all discussing what kind of food we thought they'd have at the wedding and someone said they thought it was buffet. My response was a very energetic, "Mmmmm, I LOVE food at weddings." Megan said that was a pregnant lady comment if she ever heard one. :)

Hey Lemonhead!

Today, little Bean, you are 14 weeks old. According to the Internet, you are about 3.5 inches long and the size of a lemon! Good deal--I really love lemons!

You weigh 1.5 ounces. Keep up that growing--I am anxious to see how much you've changed when I have my next ultrasound in about 4 weeks.

*Update* A couple months ago when your Aunt Karen (RN) came to talk to my Child Development college class that I'm teaching, she was telling the students how the fetus drinks it's urine, pees it out again, and completes that cycle over and over in the womb. Hmmmm, gross! So your daddy and I sometimes call you the little pee drinker (sorry, harsh, we know, but slightly deserved...)....So, when your Uncle Jim read my post that you are lemon-sized, his response was "It might be a lemon, but that's not lemonade it's drinking!"

How cute is that.....

Well, little Bean, a friend of mine sent this picture today. You'll soon meet the star of the photo, Miss L (and her soon-to-arrive sister or brother will be just your age!!), and I can guarantee you that she's adorable.....In this picture, she's up to a little mischief...If you can't tell, that's a whole lotta poo....And guess what her mommy's comment was to me??? "Look what you have to look foward to."

Your daddy has always said that when we got to the kid stage we were just going to install wall-to-wall tile and anything nasty could be hosed off....I am beginning to see the genius in that!

Announcing the Bean...

This is the little announcement we made to send to our college friends to let them know the Bean is on the way...I need to get some stamps and get em in the mail!

Cowboy Up!

Last night was your first rodeo, little Bean. And I am sure you couldn't escape the sounds of the legendary Tim Mcgraw, even from inside your little cocoon because it was LOUD, like any good concert should be. So your daddy and I are both pretty much insisting that you become a fan in-utero, because Tim's a fixture around this house....Matt even reminded me last night of jamming out to some Tim in my old Subaru, Eugene, as we explored the Oklahoma outdoors in college...So you see, it's in your genes, little one. "I had a bbq stain on my white t-shirt, you were killing me in that miniskirt..." We'll teach you the rest soon enough, promise!