earth "shakes"

Brett survived his first earthquake. (small one)

I was sitting at my computer this morning (actually, just before I did the last post on here) when I heard the windows rattle and saw and heard some things, including my printer shaking and rattling on the filing cabinet next to this desk. The dogs next door had started barking loudly and differently than normal right before this happened, too. Anyway, it was a really bizarre feeling and it seemed like more than just a jet flying overhead or a large truck rumbling by...

Come to find out, it was an earthquake! It was upgraded from a 2.7 to a 3.0 and only lasted 4 or 5 seconds. We had our taxes done tonight and heard the Airforce jets flying and rumbling loudly. I told the H&R Block lady and Don about what I'd experienced this morning (not knowing it was an earthquake) and she said, "It was an earthquake - I saw it on the news tonight!" And, she knew which area of town we lived in, just from hearing about it on the news.

Here's a link to the news story online:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/feb/27/reports-las-vegas-hit-27-magnitude-earthquake/

around the nursery

Little shoes for tiny feet...
In the crib...

Tiny bunny slippers for little toes...

(I finally found a blue pair. These are like the pink ones in our very first post. I've given out many pairs of these over the years to friends when they've had babies. )

and a hand-made blanket by a friend and former co-worker, Emily...such a soft blankie for our little guy!

We have been taking childbirth classes at our hospital. Tonight is our third week. During the first week, we received an overview of the birthing process, learned some relaxation techniques, and the husbands got to try on a backpack full of 35lbs. of "stuff" equivalent to what the wives may gain in pregnancy. They even made one husband lay on the floor and try to get up...not such an easy task. Last week was the tour of the hospital. We saw a labor and delivery room, recovery room, and viewed some newborns. These were preemies and one was 34 weeks along - so cute and small...kind of gave us an idea of the size that our little guy is right now!

Kids' advice...out of the mouths of babes...

I had my students write some advice for us, since we are going to be brand new parents.

Here are some exerpts from their writing:

"Make Mr. Johnson change Baby Johnson's diapers. When the baby comes out it mite cry. Give it a toy." -M.M.

"Feed him macrony-and-cheese. If it crys sing Lullaby Baby. Giv it toys. Giv it a crib. Giv it drinks. Let it have naps - 3 naps every day. Let it woch Sestemy Street. Hold it for 5 minutes. Reed books. If you go to the store, poot it in a cart. For a drink, give it milk." - T.B.

"You need a crib. The color should be green. You need 9815700581 diapers and some toys."

- A.O.

"If the baby crys give it a bottle. If you smell something that reaks it's your baby. You'll need 100 diapers. It's a boy. It should take a nap at 1:00." -M.F.

"If you have a baby you will have to feed him apple baby food. They cry alot so be careful and they have a pacifier to make them stop crying. You will buy him 2 or 3 bottles and you will have to buy him lots of diapers." - M.V.

"When a baby crys give the baby milk, his rattle, or read him a book and call the baby Little Johnson. Buy the baby diapers. Give the baby sleep at 8:00."

- D. A. (illustrator of baby picture above)

"The babey needs 14 diapers so you don't run out of um for a log time. And a quib with a blakit so hes not cold." - L.F.

"If the baby is cold you can buy the baby booties. If the baby crys you should give the baby a bottle. If the baby crys you can give the baby a diaper change." - S.H.

"He can have a pacifier. Het can have a bottle. He can have a crib. He can have a stuffed animal. He'll need blue covers. He should eat applesauce. You should buy 4 . . . actually, 8 diapers."

- R.M.

Cute, huh?

50 days to go!

The countdown says, "50 days to go!"

We can hardly wait! I only have about 20 days of work left because of my "track break" and Spring Break.

I can't believe it's alreay the last week in February.

Brett made a really big move in my belly when it was our read-aloud time in class. I kind of interrupted a student's story by saying, "Whoa!" It was one of the biggest movements I've felt. My whole belly was in motion. I told the student that the baby must have liked the book he was reading. Then, the kids were keeping their eyes on my belly from time to time. One actually saw it move! How fun!

A look at my belly with 50 days to go:

Don as a baby

First Birthday (celebrating Mom's birthday, too) - 1972

Look at the frosting on his cheek - cute! :)

March 19, 1971

Don was born at 4:05 p.m. and was 9 lbs. 11.5 oz. and 21 inches long.

Here are some baby photos of Don. We received his baby book at Christmas time. It's been fun to look through baby pictures and documents! He had long footprints (see bottom picture). In one of our ultrasounds, the nurse said our little guy had long feet, so it sounds like he'll take after Daddy in that area! :)

Brett in 3D again

We were able to go in for a complimentary session for our 3D/4D ultrasound (still photos and a video) of Brett on Friday. Even though it was Friday the 13th, he cooperated this time! He didn't have his hands in front of his face...though he does like to keep them close to his face. We were able to see him sucking on some fingers AND on his toes! :) His nose appears wider/smushed in some of the photos because he was smushed against my walls the technician told us.

bassinet

Here's a little movie of the movement and sound of the bassinet:



It can play nature sounds and songs.