Week 34 - Baby Shower

On Saturday Lori was given a "Surprise" Baby Shower. She had an idea that it was Saturday and believe me, she asked many questions about it... so many questions in fact one evening I got a little adjitated with her and had to tell her to relax. :-)

When I arrived at the Baby Shower no one but Lori's Grandparents were there. Mother Nature showed her ugly side with a very big Thunderstorm complete with Wind, Heavy Rain and even penny sized hail. But it only lasted 20 minutes and the sky cleared and Mr. Sunshine came back out. *Shew* I was glad to see him!

Lori arrived just after 3 o'clock and was not surprised of the party but surprised to see the location and everyone that was able to make it. Thank you for all the well wishes, gifts and for sharing our special day with us. We really enjoyed it!

Tracey and Andrea put a lot of time into the making the invitations, taking RSVPs and oraganizing and setting up the decorations. Lori's mom provided the good food. A Big Thank You goes out to them and anyone else who contributed to putting together the day, Lori and I sure do appreciate it!

The cake was prepared by a friend of Tracey's with, what else, a frog decoration! The cake was half chocolate walnut and the other half vanilla. It was delicious.

We received a lot of great things that we put on our registry... a stroller, car seat, diapers, bottles, blankets and lots of clothes among many other things. We have to say that we were quite overwelmed and thankful for the generosity of everyone.

I even got a special gift to use when Ty comes courtesy of my best buddy Jeremy! :-) A Gas Mask for when I have to change diapers along with some nice thick latex gloves! I could not stop laughing!

Lori like to say Ty is going to be and act just like his daddy... by the look of my new hair style, I am sure she is right on the mark!

Again, thank you to everyone, who came from near and far, the gifts and well wishes. With only 6 weeks to go, the days are going by fast and Lori and I are both very excited. Can't wait for everyone to meet this bundle of joy!

We will keep you posted on the health checks on mom and Ty! Keep checking back!

Yes, My Belly is Getting Bigger!

Week 26


Week 32

32 weeks and counting........

I had my 2 week check up this morning and everything continues to be going just fine. Baby Ty's heart rate was 150 which is perfect.

Amazingly once again, I have not gained any weight. In fact, I was up 3 lbs. two weeks ago and down 3 lbs. this morning. :-) The doctor did not say anything about it. Ty is measuring on track so that is the most important thing. I guess I am losing weight elsewhere, but where, I am not sure. :-) Or….the weight is going to Ty only. Who knows.

As far as my sugar, I am still doing great. I have had some mess ups here and there, but for the most part, it's just fine. I am down to only pricking myself twice a day so I will begin that next week.

My next check up will be Aug. 4th. At this appointment, I will be getting a stress test on the baby. No surprise to us since we were told about it earlier in my pregnancy. This will put me at 34 weeks. This basically is just a fetal monitor that wraps around my belly for them to listen closely to Ty. The purpose is because of my blood pressure and all other issues that I have had.

Speaking of blood pressure..it was perfect this morning. I am not concerned about it..just another precaution. The good news is that they do this right in the office.

Aug. 7th we head back up to Harrisburg for the last time.

Oh..and Aug. 5th is our breastfeeding class. I am sure Shaun will have lots to say about that. LOL

As far as how I am feeling. I am doing great! :-) Belly is definitely getting bigger but not bothersome yet. I am sure in the next couple of weeks I will be kicking Shaun out of bed. LOL

It's all in the name...

As you may have caught in previous posts, Lori and I have decided on a name for our baby boy.

Ty Gregory Smith

We had narrowed it down between Stone and Ty but in the end we loved the sound of Ty Gregory. Lori did not like my idea of Stone Rock Pebble Smith... so Ty it is!

Ty's first name came from his dad. Watching football one day I heard the name and really liked the easy spelling not to mention the strong nature of the name.

Ty's middle name, Gregory, is in honor of Lori's late father. What a better way to keep the memory alive?

Week 31 - 3rd Trimester, Sugar & Nursery

The past few weeks haves gone by in a blur. Between regular checkups, sonograms, sugar tests, birthing class and getting the nursery finished we have been on the move.

Lori has officially entered her 3rd trimester which means doctor checkups every two weeks instead of every month. The checkups will change to weekly a month away from her due date.

Everything is going very well and Lori has only gained 11 total pounds. Her belly is showing more and more each day and Ty seems to be giving "Love Taps" to mommy more often. Although it is rare, I have even seen and felt a few movements myself. It seems as though Ty already enjoys agitating daddy because he can be a dancing fool for mommy, but as soon as daddy comes around to watch or feel, he stops and is motionless.


We went to Harrisburg on July 3rd and had another sonogram to monitor the two vessel umbilical cord issue. Everything was reported to be fine, although Ty was not cooperating with the camera to get his picture taken. He kept playing peekaboo and hiding behind the placenta. The technician was only able to get one decent picture. Ty weighs in at an estimated 2 pounds 12 ounces which is right on par with normal development. We go again on August 7, which should be the last trip to Harrisburg.


Lori had to take a regular scheduled sugar test a few weeks ago and the results came back iffy. So the doc asked her to go back and take a three hour test. Again the results came back iffy and Lori has been diagnosed as having gestational diabetes. So she was ordered to go see a dietitian.


The dietitian said that Lori has a great diet and plan but needs to watch carb intake for the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. Lori also has to prick her finger 5 times a day to measure her sugar levels and record them for the dietitian's nurse. If levels are not in the range that the nurse likes them, Lori may have to give herself shots. That's hope that is not the case.


Two weekends ago we finished the nursery which feels great to have that task finished. Like I said in past posts, the theme is Frogs. (Ty is either going to love frogs or have a life long frog phobia. I can't wait to have to buy a frog or two for pets and have them hopping all over the house!) :-P

Week 26 - Registry, Sonograms, Kicking & Nursery

26 weeks down, about 14 more to go!

After 3 1/2 hours in Target our Registry is complete. I don't think I have spent 3 1/2 hours in the same store before but it was fun. Lori and I had a great time looking at all the things we need and all the clothes that we want to buy! :-) My mom came along and was a huge help. She pointed out a lot of things that we never even thought about putting on our list.

Lori's Week 20 sonogram for the anatomy checkup revealed an abnormality that the doctor did not seem to concerned about. However, he said that a two vessel umbilical cord is something we needed to follow up on with more tests. Otherwise, Ty is doing great!


Lori and my mom made their way up to Harrisburg a few weeks ago for a another sonogram and fetal echocardiogram. I was unable to go because I was out of town attending a training class for work. Everything turned out OK and the baby is healthy and so is mommy. Oh it's still a boy... For Sure! Lori goes back July 3rd for another checkup and this time I will be going!

Lori has started to feel Ty kicking and punching her every so often. It seems he really appreciates dinner in the evening because he likes to celebrate with a little jab or kick soon afterward. Taking after daddy like any good son does!

My parents have been so generous and purchased the furniture (Crib, Changing Station & Dresser) for Ty's room. Thank You So Much!!! My best friend Jeremy was nice of enough to lend his time to go to my parents, pick it up and help me take it into the house. Thanks to you as well!

Along with the getting the furniture we started the nursery over Father's day weekend. We have chosen to go with a Frog theme... frog border, frog curtains, frog crib accessories, frog stuffed animals. Everywhere you look, there is frogs! :-)



My mom and dad came over on Father's day and while dad was relaxing, mom and I were working hard putting up border. Soon afterward Lori and mom put up the curtains that look great followed by some good Beer Can Chicken on the grill for our Father's Day Celebration. Next year at this time, I will be able to celebrate my very first Father's Day. Wow, how fast time goes by!

Monday evening I put together the crib and changing table which took a few hours but was enjoyable. Although there were a lot of pieces to put together, I did not end up with any spare parts, which I guess is a good thing!

Week 20 - It's a BOY!!!!!!!!

That's right - We are having a BOY!!! This past Monday Lori and I went for her 20 week checkup and anatomy sonogram. Everything is developing well with the baby. Mom is doing great as well. Lori's placenta has also moved naturally so no more previa!

Below is a 4D (3D with Motion = 4D) video of our baby boy!

Finding out the sex of the baby is actually a very small part of the anatomy sonogram. Still photos are taken of every bone and organ. Video in 3D and 4D is also taken all of which is evaluated by both the technician conducting the sonogram followed by a doctor. The entire sonogram took just over an hour.

Baby Boy Smith weighs in about 10 ounces and is approximately 10 inches from head to heel. The heartbeat was measured at about 140 beats per minute.

16 Week Checkup

Lori went to see the doctor today and she got to hear the heartbeat. I did not go in with her, but she tells me she lost a pound. :-) She has been watching her diet and been doing a great job. No sonogram was taken this time but the babies heart beat was a very healthy 167 bpm.

She still is not showing but her clothes are getting tighter by the day. I believe we will be going this weekend to get a few maturnity clothes for Mom! :-)

The baby should be about the size avocado now and weighs 3 1/2 ounces. The length: 4 1/2" head to bottom!

Too Much Work Causes Problems @ Week 12.....

Lori decided to do a little decorating around the house for the spring season. Taking the Christmas tree (yes, we keep the tree up till March, it is decorated in snowmen) and other decorations down and putting new decorations up. All this included moving boxes around and going up and down stairs. I tried to help but the hard head that Lori is sometimes (gets that from her dad) paid for it in the end.

In the middle of the night, Lori wakes up with some minor cramping and more bleeding.

She called the doc the next morning at which time they requested she go to the Imanging Center to have a sonogram done on a more advanced machine. When examined, we were able to see a heathly baby with a strong fast paced heart beat.

The baby even decided to show a little leg. ;-)

When the results were in to the doctor, she diagnosed Lori with Placenta Previa. Previa is a common occurance but something to be concerned about. Basically it is when the placenta is blocking the opening to the cervix. Most of the time the placenta will move away from the cervix, but if not, then a c-section will be needed.

With the diagnoses came along orders of no lifting of heavy objects and pelvic rest. Not a good thing to hear if you are a guy. :-) The doctor also said that she wanted Lori to gain no more than 25 pounds for her entire pregnancy due to her high blood pressure. This kinda stressed Lori out for a little while until I told her she has bigger and more important things to worry about than just her weight.

The baby at this time is about the size of a lime and about a 1/2 ounce. About 2" long from head to bottom.

Week 10 - Bleeding

Lori decided to go to the Chambersburg Mall to do a little shopping. She was walking through the mall when she realized she was having another bleeding moment.

The next day we went to the doctor. This time they thought it was possibly due to the placenta rubbing against a small phybroid Lori has on her uteris. The doctor again suggested rest and relaxation for Lori until the bleeding subsided.

The good thing about the doctor's visit was we got to see Pebbles again and hear the heart beat for the very first time, 170 beats per minute. The doctor said that the baby was healthy and at this time it is about a 1/2" long. About the size of a kidney bean.