Week 26, The latest pics

Here, I am pealing off my layers before leaving the house.
First my big fuschia coat....



Then my cute grey sweater from the Wahl's (thanks again!)



and finally down to my tee shirt so you can see the bump!



{After showing Greg this posting he said, "Pictures just do justice to how big you are!" Maybe next week we'll use a zoom lens and really play it up!}

Week 26, Opening her eyes, moving her head, and more!

At long last, our little swimmer can see the womb! Our miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and she's probably having her first moments of sight as you read this. Baby Ortyl's eyes are blue in the womb (like her Papa's) but may change colors after birth. This is true for all races because the pupils do not have their final color until a few months after birth. In addition to seeing her little studio in my belly, she's recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as she can now move her head back and forth. This is also the time where Baby O's little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, her fingernails and toenails have grown in and our little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath her still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing Baby O's (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood! Blood vessels start to develop in the lungs to prepare baby for life outside the uterus. Her blood circulation is completely functional. The umbilical cord system continues to grow and thicken as blood travels with considerable force through the body to nurture our little baby. This week Baby O's crown-to-rump length is approximately 9.2 inches (that is only from the top of his head to his bottom and does not include her leg measurements) and she weighs almost 2 pounds!

Hiccups!

Just hangin' out

We thought the weather in Saint Louis was all over the place, but Denver is proving to be very similar. Last week Denver had one of the worst snows in years, and this week we are enjoying nearly 70 degree days.

Greg's office is on the first floor, faces the street and has a really cozy little balcony. As I stayed busy inside yesterday I opened some of the doors to get fresh air in the house - the office balcony door was one of them. Ashby was very interested in watching cars, hanging out in the sun and occasionally barking at passerbyers. We'll have to work on that barking part.

A letter to Baby O, from Tina Fox, first time contributing writer

{Tina at the inaugural concert}

My sweet Baby O...(I mean Ortyl, not Obama)
I wish you were around to see this. DC is quite the site to behold. When you come visit me in DC I'm sure you will have fun. You will be a cute girl who will smile and laugh at all sorts of fun and interesting things. You will love the butterfly exhibit at the National Museum of Natural Sciences! You will laugh and point at all the animals at the zoo, but you will inevitably become tired (and like a typical Fox girl you will get grumpy when you are hungry and need a nap). Like the average person coming to the capital, you might not be excited about EVERYTHING you come across. That is why I wish you could be here today. It seems like everyone in this city is happy, excited, inspired, and hopeful. Today is Martin Luther King Day. Yesterday was the kick off to the Presidential Inauguration for Barak Obama...and tomorrow. Tomorrow is a day that many people have been waiting for. Barak Obama will be the 44th man to take the oath of office. I'm going to go watch.
The concert was amazing. I have never seen so many people in the same place at once...and EVERYONE was happy. There were people from every state in the union and people from other countries. We stood for 3 hours in 30 degree weather, unable to move because there were so many people crowded around, to cheer for Barak and celebrate this big change for America. Some people will tell you the change they are excited about is that for the first time ever a black man will be the President. Others might say the change they are most excited for is that George W. Bush will no longer be president (I don't blame them). But I believe, and am sure most people would agree, that the biggest change...and the most exciting change...is the fact that millions of Americans have been propelled into action. They may have acted out by voting, or volunteering, or traveling across the country to see this man promise to guide our country to the best of his ability, but for the first time a whole new division of America is standing up and joining the effort. I saw 16 year old Hispanic girls giddy about the new President. When I was 16 I certainly wasn't excited about politics. It warms my heart to see people interested. This man has inspired millions of Americans...and that inspiration is evident in the faces of so many strangers as I walk though the streets of my city.
As I stood on the mall sandwiched between the World War 2 memorial, the Washington Monument, and hundreds of thousands of spectators I felt a surge of love and community. I was separated from my friends due to the crowds, but standing there alone I did not feel lonely at all. Everyone around me was laughing, and cheering for the presenters, and musicians, and when Garth Brooks sang Shout! everyone was jumping up and down! It was so much fun! I ended up running into a friend in the crowd and we both agreed...this was a sight that we will remember and talk about until the day we die!
To be honest not everyone in the city is happy. There are a few people that are in bad moods. And no, I am not referring to the Republicans. They all seem to be enjoying the excitement in the air as well. The taxi drivers are in horrible moods! I really don't blame them! There are so many roads closed for security and with 3-5 million visitors coming to tiny DC the streets that are still open are packed. The metro is running from 4 am until 4 PM on the day of the inauguration with the same schedule they usually use during rush hour, which means a new train ever 3 minutes. The news said don't take the metro if you live within 2 miles of downtown a few weeks ago. Yesterday I heard them say to avoid the metro if you are within 10 miles of down town! Luckily I live 5 blocks from the capitol so I can walk anywhere without much trouble!
Tomorrow I plan to walk to the mall and meet some friends. I wont be very close to the capitol so i will get to see the whole thing on a jumbo screen and hear everything over the loud speakers! It will be lots of fun! I wish you could be here! I bet you can youtube the highlights!
I've been to a reception thrown by the Oklahoma State Society, a couple of dinner parties, and a soiree thrown by a French organization in a Russian bar! Everyone is excited and celebrating! I also went by Ben's Chili bowl. It is a dive restaurant in a historically black area of town. This joint has been around since 1958. [http://www.benschilibowl.com/] Obama ate lunch there a week ago with Mayor Fenty so when my old roommate Keosha and I stopped by with her sister the line was about 100 people deep! We decided to stick it out..it was about 1:30 AM and we needed something hearty and greasy in our tummies. I'm sure you will understand one day! Talk about a riot. The people working behind the counter look like they have been there since the restaurant opened it's doors! We were dancing to Michael Jackson on the jukebox and making friends with everyone in line with us! By the end of the night I had a chili cheese dog, a chocolate shake, and a cute boy had my number! My roommate and I headed home after trying for 30 minutes to get a cab...that was Saturday night and I haven't warmed up since. Hope you and your mom and dad are snuggled up and enjoying Denver!
I also hope that everyone sits down tomorrow to watch the inauguration with someone. (For the schedule of events click here) A coworker, a neighbor, a friend...or even call a friend on the phone. The world is always changing...and so often we feel like we have no control over it...but in this case I think so many people are hopeful and excited because they are reassured by this change, feel connected to the movement in one way or another, or believe that their efforts and beliefs have been justified! Big changes and lots of excitement...these are the things that make life so fun!
all my love, sweet girl!
your aunt t-frannie!

Tina makes her inaugural debut

I just got an email from a friend that spotted my younger sister Tina on MSNBC.

Tina lives in Washington DC, and has been all over town soaking up the pre-inaugural events, like everyone else in the city right now. This morning she was on her way to the Inaugural concert and she passed by the MSNBC set, this is what happened.

You will see arrows in the video pointing out Tina (Thanks, KG!)
Good work Tina.

PS: If anyone has tickets the inauguration or any events surrounding it and they would like to donate them to Tina, she would be more than happy to take them off your hands!

Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWKw5mbfFg0





{Tina and I a few years ago....to support Tina in her upcoming Triathlon visit her blog}

Week 25, Gaining weight, moving fingers, and scootching!

Baby Ortyl's crown-to-rump length is about 8.8 inches. Weight has increased to around 1.5 pounds. Her physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of her remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. Baby O is able to do more with her fingers now and can move her fingers to make a complete fist. As Baby O becomes more dexterous, she will be able to touch and hold her feet. Babies also begin to prefer their left hand or right hand at this time. This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short just 14 weeks left before I can go back to being a single-resident human!! {Image Via Flickr}

This has been another good week, although it was a long one. Greg was out of town most of the week so it was mostly Ashby and I all week. I got out of the house a lot, doing some exploring. I discovered Denver's antique district which was a bit of a disappointment. I also visited several fabric stores in search of girly fabrics to make bedding and curtains for Baby O's nursery. I have several really great options, I just need to decide on my favorite and then get sewing! It dawned on me last week that we only have a few more months before this Baby joins us in the house and we are not ready at all. She has a growing closet, and adorable shoes and two excited parents but that is about it! We will be deciding on a crib and other furniture today. Hopefully I will soon have pictures of a nursery to share with you!

For Subscribers....

Still dreaming of Spring {image via Flickr}

I'm so happy to see that so many people have subscribed to the blog, for the longest time I didn't think anyone was looking at it other than Mr. Dale and Tina!

Just a comment to the Subscribers: Every now and then click on the blog link (at the very bottom of your email it says Baby Ortyl with a hyperlink) to venture away from the email and to the blog. If I post something on the right side of the blog (these are usually small things....lists, pictures, polls, links to favorite sites, etc) or change the graphics you won't see this in the emails.

Again, I'm so glad your checking in on us!
XOX,
Becky

An early start

4:30 am woke up to use the bathroom and couldn't fall back asleep, uuuggg!
5:30 am came down stairs to start the day.
6:30 am noticed Ashby all comfy on the couch. I couldn't resist a picture.

11:15 am posting this on the blog. I've already gotten a ton accomplished today.

Around 5am while I was still in bed the baby was squirming around and I felt her move both on the right and left side at the same time, she must have been stretching out, cute to imagine!

Doctor's update.

I had a Doctor's appointment early this morning and wanted to report that all is well. I was in and out in no time at all. They measured the bump and weighed me then we listened to Baby O's heartbeat before I was on my way. I'm measuring perfectly, and my weight is right where it should be, plus the Girl's heart sounded strong....it was a happy way to start the day! Thanks for all of the healthy wishes and prayers, so far so good! We are so thankful for all of the good reports we are getting back!

Dreaming of: French Toast Casserole

My sister, Sarah made this for us over the summer at a little family get together. I happened to see the cookbook that this came from as I was walking through Boarders bookstore today, and it reminded me of the recipe. I just knew I could find it online! This would be perfect to warm us up...OK, I'm off to the grocery store!

To download the recipe for free click here.

For info on Virginia Willis, and her cookbooks click here. (this came from Bon Appetit, Y'all )

More beautiful cakes....

{John Derian, of course}

Not just a beautiful cake, but a beautiful plate!

Another great site for these beautiful plates is Kass

I love this cake!

{For more info go to...}

Does it surprise you that the pregnant lady randomly found a beautiful cake online?
How could you actually eat this, its so lovely! Ok, I'm off to find something sweet to nibble on....

Bella & Tara and lots of snow!

To see a cute video of great friends click here.
Hopefully this will make you smile!

Its a cold morning here in Denver. We probably have about 5 inches of snow and its still coming down. Greg headed into the gym then work this morning, but came back after the gym, the roads were just too bad!

So I woke up to breakfast being made and Papa at home, its like another weekend day! I love it! Here's a picture of our tiny little backyard covered in snow!

Week 24, Updated Photos

Good Morning!

Week 24: No more fruit references, she's an envelope now!

This is another big week for our magical growing Baby Ortyl! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; and 3) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist Baby O's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, our submerged Baby O is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. This week her crown-to-rump length is around 8.4 inches and she will weigh approximately 1.2 pounds. Our cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near her full baby-fatted cute-self. (We can't wait to see that!) Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester (which is only a few weeks away!) Baby Ortyl's eyes are close together on the front of her face and they are still shut. Her ears have moved into their final position on the sides of her head. Where they are now is where they will be when she is born! Hair will continue to grow on her scalp and her eyelashes are well developed. Most of Baby Ortyl's features look the same as they will at birth. (Hmm....more like Becky or more like Greg? We really can't wait to see!!) Because Baby O is getting plumper, she no longer has room in your tummy to do cartwheels and somersaults (I don't believe it, I swear she was preforming a full gymnastic floor routine last night!).

I've been feeling really good this week. I'm getting around easily, although at times my belly gets in the way. Bending over is sometimes a challenge, putting on shoes or even stepping into pants, but I'm sure that isn't going to get any easier. The Girl has been moving around so much this past week, it's mostly in the day and it seems to be on my right side or else really low in my belly - no jabs to the lungs yet.

I just found this "How to knit Baby Legwarmers" on Etsy.com, and think these are such a great idea. I'll just add this to the list of projects that I want to start!

Shoes, shoes, shoes...

What girl doesn't love a great pair of shoes? Even better, ones that sparkle or have fur? I got so many comments on yesterday's post I decided to share some other goodies with you. Click here to go to a Flickr slideshow of all of Baby Ortyl's shoes!
Have you heard of Pica? It's when pregnant women crave non-food items. Now, I'm not craving baby shoes by any stretch, but seriously, these are so cute I think I could eat them up! (Disclaimer: I did not buy all of these!)

Thanks Mary, Holly & Cary!

Thank you so much for the adorable dress and shoes for "Spike", they will be perfect for the holidays next year! I only wish I could find the shoes in my size!! I miss you all, XOXOX

Ellie Curtis: Illustrations and Textiles

I love this illustration so much!

http://www.elliecurtis.com/2006/12/

I Love: Original Artwork

This sweet image arrived in the mail Christmas week from my nephew Brenden Broermann. It's to Aunt LivLiv (that's me) From Brenden B. (I included a pic of the handsome little man) with the note, "He's Kicking". You might have to click on the image to make it larger, when you do you will see myself (Aunt LivLiv), with a big smile and little wave like symbols by my tummy showing the baby is kicking!

How sweet, I love it! Thank you Bren, keep the art work coming. I will keep it and show your little cousin when she gets here!
XOXOX,
Aunt LivLiv

Ashby after a long Wash Park walk

Greg's growth

It's snowing in Denver but I'm dreaming of Spring!

{image from Flicker}

Questions for the New Year

I'm sure some of you have already come up with resolutions for the New Year, but others (that may plan to stop procrastinating in 2009) have not quite gotten there yet. For the past few years I have answered the following questions to come up with my plan for the coming year and wanted to share (Save your answers, I have loved looking back over what I have come up with year to year!):

1) What makes me happy at work?

2) What makes me happy at home?

3) What makes me happy with your friends and family?

4) What makes me happy when I’m by myself?

5) What do I love?

6) What would I do with my life today if I were not afraid to fail?

7) Whats not working in my life?

8) What am I currently doing that is preventing me from experiencing joy?

9) Whats working in my life?

10) Who’s not working in my life?

11) Who in your life is subtracting value and adding misery to it?

12) Can you fix any of these relationships or should you let them go from your life?

13) What relationships are working in your life?

14) If we were to get together one year from today what would have to happen for you
to be able to tell me that you now have more joy inn your life?

15) What is the single most important thing you have learned about yourself as a result of
answering these questions

PS: My smart friend Anna reminded me that you have to do something 21 times in order for it to become a habit. So she is working on one resolution at a time, and once she forms one good habit she will move to another resolution, I thought this sounded very simple and logical, less overwhelming. Good Luck to Anna and all of you!

Week 23, She is 1 pound, and will double in weight in 4 weeks!

This week your baby's length, from crown-to-rump, is approximately 8 inches! Your growing baby has finally reached one pound. Your baby is about the size of a small baby doll and looks very human. The baby's face and body look similar to that of a newborn at this time. Your baby will basically double in weight over the next four weeks! (Oh, belly!)
Fat is still being deposited at a rapid rate, but your baby still looks red and wrinkled. Skin is being produced at a higher rate than the fat is, so the skin hangs loosely. Your baby looks red because the skin is losing its transparency and pigment is beginning to form. You should be feeling your baby moving quite a bit throughout the day as she will kick and punch the uterus walls (I have been referring to her as Kicky McFlippy, cause she is moving all day long!). Babies also run their hands along the umbilical cord and touch their body parts while they are in the womb. Your baby now can suck her thumb for real, where she was just sticking it in her mouth. Your baby will continue to swallow amniotic fluid and recycle it as urine. The liquids and sugars that the baby retracts from the fluid is a supplement to the nutrients that the placenta delivers. You might be able to feel small `jumps` inside of you when your baby gets the hiccups from swallowing fluid. The pancreas is developing and it will responsible for insulin production, to help break down sugars. As the baby continues to grow, it has less space to move around in the uterus. Bones, muscles and organs are growing steadily.

We're back in the swing of things now that we're back in town and the Holidays have passed. Greg had all of last week off, which we both enjoyed. The house is really feeling settled and we're gearing up for our next wave of visitors at the end of the month, can't wait!

The decorations are gone

We took down our tree yesterday and got everything packed away until next year, but before we did I got some pics of our tree and ornaments. An early (and blurry)"Baby's First" from Aunt Sally (Thanks Sally!), a silly bird that Sally gave me a few years back, and of course and Ash Ash ornament. We're looking forward to unpacking them next year!

Ashby Heart's Greg

Happy New Year!

We celebrated last night with a crab cake dinner followed by home made milkshakes and a few left over christmas cookies from Connie, Yum! Hope you had a festive and safe New Years Eve and are gearing up for a great 2009....we are!