Week 36 - Weekly Checkup / Stress Test

Lori's weekly checkup went well today. She had a fetal stress test before her visit with the doctor. Everything went well.

Ty did not seem to cooperate as well this week as he did in last week's visit. However, he did seem to move just enough to gather enough data to satisfy the technician. Below is a picture of mommy during her test.

Lori has only gained 11 total pounds which the doctor gave her kudos for her excellent efforts. Her sugar has been excellent as expected.

Next week the doctor plans to do a quick sonogram to view the orientation of the baby. From what she felt today, she believes he is still breach.

Lori has been sleeping well and that means I am sleeping well. We are just enjoying sleep now, which everyone that has ever had kids and some who haven't, is telling us to do. Good news is I have yet to be kicked out of the bed. With just over two weeks to go till B-day, I doubt I will be.

We are pretty much ready to rock and roll to the hospital for B-day. Lori has pretty much everything from personal clothing to the baby bag packed. Packing my stuff is on my task list for this weekend and yes, the camera is the first thing on the list!

I have successfully tested the ability to take a picture from my iPhone and send it directly to this blog. So when Ty enters the world I only have to send to one email address and I do not leave anyone out accidentally.

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http://thesmithfamilybabyblog.blogspot.com/

Week 35 - Doctor's Visit

Lori made her weekly doctor's visit today and seen her favorite OB in the practice, Dr. Orndorf.

Lori has lost 4 pounds which puts her only gaining 10 total pound throughout her pregnancy. :-) She was kinda worried about that weight! Ty should be about 6 pounds now that pretty much means Lori's weight is All Baby!!!

The Baby Stress Test results were perfect and Ty had a heart beat of 145 beats per minute.

Dr. Orndorf spoke with Lori and told her that Ty is still breach. The doctor gave her the choice of trying to physically move Ty around to the correct position by pushing on Lori's belly or a C-section. Lori did not care for the pushing and moving... so she tentatively scheduled a C-section on Monday, September 8th (time TBD) to be performed by Dr. Orndorf. :-)

So if that holds true, T-Minus 4 weeks and counting until Ty Gregory enters the world!

Keep checking back for updated news!

Report from Harrisburg

We traveled to Harrisburg to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Office on Thursday for a check up.

We are happy to report Baby Ty and Mommy are doing great. Baby Ty is now up to 5 lbs 2 oz. His blood flow through his embilical cord is excellent and symptoms of a two vessel cord, such as low weight, are not being seen by the doctors.

The doctor said Ty is still breach (butt down - should be head down) but he did say with 6 weeks (soon to be 5) to go, Ty has time to move around and get into place for natural birth. He did mention c-section but that is all he did.

So it is looking like we will have a healthy baby boy... my guess, around 7 lbs 6 oz. :-)

Another Surprise Shower for Lori @ Her Office

The folks at Lori's office surprised her on Wednesday with a Baby Shower. She was surprised... in fact she told me this, "I am so loved around here I can hardly stand it." Well she is loved by everyone and it was apparent by the gifts and generosity showed by her coworkers. Lori got a Baby Monitor, Bouncer, Bath Tub, Books, Clothes to mention a just a few things. Thank you to everyone at her office for helping produce this party and show the kindness you have! Thank You!

Checkups, Stress Tests and Busy Week

Lori had her two week checkup and baby stress test yesterday. Everything went well and Lori and Ty are both happy and healthy. Lori has gained 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks. The doctor was not happy with that, but to Lori's defense the appointment was late afternoon after Lori had consumed 2 meals and 2 snacks. We are hoping it is lower next week!

Lori is now down to weekly visits with a baby stress test before or after every checkup. The test is simply two monitors placed on Lori's belly and she is asked to press a button every time Ty moves. Ty's heart rate is monitored and printed out. This is being done basically because of little things that have come up throughout her pregnancy.

Tonight (Tuesday) we go to Breast Feeding Class. *laughing* Dad is not thrilled about this and getting instructions on breast feeding, but he is going to be supportive of his lovely wife and son! :-)

Thursday morning we go travel to Harrisburg for one last sonogram examining the two vessel umbilical cord. Lori and I are really looking forward to get a few new pics of Ty and seeing his approximate weight!

Will post again on Thursday or Friday with updated news!

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