38 WEEKS!

D day is getting closer and closer.  I am excited and nervous at the same time.  I hope I can be a good mom and don't screw the poor kid up. 

Not much new on the development front.  Joseph could be up to 20" long and approximately 7 pounds at this stage of the game, he may continue to gain about an ounce a day.  His organs are mature and he is ready for the outside world.  The circumference of his head and abdomen are about the same size.  The skull is not fully solid.  It is made up of 5 plates that allow for hopefully an easy delivery. 

Update from the doc.  Still measuring on target.  Joseph's heart rate was good.  I am 1.5cm dilated and 75% effaced.  I asked what she thought about having him early and she said she doubts that happens.  But who knows at this stage of the game, baby is in control.  My bp was good and my total weight gain for the pregnancy is at 18 pounds.  Still feeling pretty good.  Next appointment is Friday the 25th. 

I will leave you with a pic of me at 38weeks.  Not the best picture but that's all I have to work with. 

Hope everyone has a great week!  Til next week-

Love to all- Jina and Baby Joseph

Baby M has a name!

We have decided on a name.  WOO HOO!  It is a special name with lots of meaning.  Baby M will be called Joseph Lee Malone.  Joseph is after my dad and pap.  Lee is Jason's middle name, his dad's middle name, and was my pap Linthicum's middle name.  What a great honor to name our son after all those wonderful people.

Moving in the right direction

By the title you should know everything is progressing.  Doctor is pleased with how well everything is going.  Since I am 37 weeks I am considered full term.  Baby M's heart beat was 148 today.  I am 60% effaced and 1 cm dilated.  Hopefully the little guys waits a little while long before he makes his debut.  I will go back to the doctor on Wednesday.  Hopefully by then I will have pictures of the completed nursery.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Til Wednesday-

Love to all-

Jina and Baby M

37 WEEKS !

3 weeks til my due date.  Hard to believe.  I am still feeling pretty good.  It's hard to imagine this pregnancy is almost over.  I will say I have been super blessed this has been a walk in the park.  Pregnancy for me this time around is nothing like I had envisioned and I am truly thankful. 


At this point babies vary in size, but the average length is between 19 and 20 inches and most babies weigh approximately 6 pounds. The size of a large mouth bass( that was for you Julie) or watermelon.

 Huge news this week: I'm carrying a full-term baby! If I were to go into labor today, all systems would be a go. Woohoo! Even though I can't wait for the little bambino to quite literally rear his head, keep in mind that your bun benefits from every day in the oven. Other ticker-tape-worthy developments:

Baby's growth slows down dramatically this week, which is great news for your birth canal. His bones are still soft and pliable and will solidify after he's born. More great news for your birth canal.
Baby M  busy practicing for "life on the outside," working on his breathing, sucking, sleeping, gazing and peeing abilities. The only thing he can't practice yet is his ability to scream at the top of his lungs when he's hungry—but he'll do plenty of that in a few weeks.

I have my weekly appointment on Friday afternoon.  Will update shortly after. 

Til then-
Love to all-
Jina and Baby M

Happy 11th Birthday Leah!

Today is a very special day.  My niece Leah turns 11.  My has time flown.  She was born early and was the tiniest little thing ever.  I had never seen a baby that small.  I was so afraid to hold her.  She weighed 5 lbs when she was born. 

Leah has overcame being small at birth and being born with clubfoot.  She still has a slight problem with her foot but she doesn't let it get her down.  She is a great student and big help to her MIMI.  Leah has achieved a brown belt in karate as well.  I don't have nay pictures of Leah as a baby for this post but here are a few from the last couple years. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEAH.  HOPE YOU HAVE AN AWESOME DAY! 

Gigi, Uncle Jason, and Bay M love you very much!

Doctor Appointment Update

Had my 36 wk appt this morning.  I just want to say that I finally saw my doc again and she is the BEST.  She doesn't fool around.  I was in and out of there in no time.  Even made it to work early. 

At first when the nurse took my bp it was really high but it was one of those wrist cuffs.  The reading was 177/74.  I thought that can't be right and she was like that doesn't seem right.  So she took it the regular way and the reading was much better, 124/64.  Baby's heartbeat was good but she didn't tell me what the reading was.  Measured on target still.  I am not dilated but am 50% effaced.  I also had my Group B Strep test.  I will get the results next week when I go back.  So all and all everything is going well. 

Til next week-
Love to all-
Jina and Baby M

36 weeks

Holy 36 weeks.  It's amazing how fast time as flown by.  One month from today is my due date.  How is the possible?  It's exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.  I don't feel like I am ready.  I have waited for this day for so long and now it's almost here I want it to wait a little longer.  Hopefully Baby M is like his daddy and late.  LOL!  I am sure I will adjust when the time comes.  Until then I need to keep thinking positive thoughts.  Everything will be fine. 


This week Baby M is still busy gaining weight.  His cheeks, knees, and elbows may start dimpling due to fat deposits.  Baby m should be making his way into position for birth.  Gums are firm with ridges that look like teeth, although he won't have any for awhile.  Baby M is approximately 20" long and about 6 pounds.  He can be compared to a bread box. 


On Saturday my friend Vanessah and sister threw me another baby shower at my house.  It was very nice and low key.  I loved it.  I was glad many of my friends from this area where able to make it.  We are truly blessed with great people in our lives.  Baby M is loved so much already.  I go to the doctor this Friday and this will start my weekly appointments.  We have completed 3 of our 6 birthing classes.  Even though we both hate them, I like the information.  I will attend a breastfeeding class on Saturday morning. 


That's all for now.
Til Friday-
Love to all -
Jina and Baby M