It's been a slow week on the blog. Gentlemen, I need some entertainment.

My appointment went well. I am (males - tune out) dilated a fingertip
which is not a big deal for 30 weeks on a 3rd pregnancy. Dr Reed is
optimistic about making it to Christmas! YAY!
And they haven't done the training for the 3D ultrasound yet, but Dr
Reed is curious about where the heck this guy is positioned as he
appears to have 6 legs... kidding. But she said she'll just mess around
with the 3d next week. HOORAY!

About time! I'll let Georgia tell you all about them...



Good luck on your interview today, Josh! Show 'em how it's done in Texas!

Doctor's appointment today... we'll leave here by 10 and be back in the afternoon.

Here's Heather with the Wabatabi tribe...

Did you know your baby is nearly three pounds now?

His head is getting larger to accommodate a period of rapid brain growth. Don't forget to continue to "teach" your baby in the womb by exposing to music, literature, and simply talking to him.

A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him. As he grows and fills your uterus, the amount of amniotic fluid will decrease. Funny, you certainly won't feel any lighter!

He spends more and more time practicing opening and closing eyelids. His eyes can move from side to side, following a light source. He may even reach out to touch the light.

Early lanugo is beginning to disappear that served to protect your baby's skin from the water in the womb. Your little one's own hair may begin to appear.

Toenails are entering their final growth stage.

Bone marrow is now in charge of red blood cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes (carbon monoxide and other gases).

Your baby has the capability now to produce tears -- yes, within the womb.

By the end of this week, your baby is now 15.7 inches (39.9cm) long and weighs 2.91 pounds (1319gm).


NOW, actually, at Toby's ultrasound last week, he was 2 pounds 11 oz... should be 3 pounds by now!
Prayer.... we have received some indication that Toby may come early... honestly, from a survival standpoint, we're ok now. 30 weeks is a great milestone! But for weight and bringing him home with no NICU stay, we need him to wait until after Christmas! So pray with us that he stays put!

HOORAY! 30 BIG ONES!
This ultrasound is Toby's profile, with his hand touching his nose....

We had the Clark/Joy Thanksgiving yesterday.
I made my first turkey ever. It was, as expected, a dry yet greasy
tasteless bird. Nonetheless, it was enjoyed by all. Eva brought a ham,
and it was also enjoyed... and I got the leftovers, hee hee hee.
And the other T-giving fare.
It is amazing the exponential power of 2 two year olds. 1 two year old
was here on Thursday. She wreaked havoc. 2 two year olds were here
yesterday. Males. And while they did not terrorize R2, they did escape
the house at any (many) given moments. Many suicide attempts were made
by Caleb and Graceson... they were foiled by various relatives and
expressed great rage at being brought back in the house... It's just
amazing how much they accomplish. Multi-taskers, these boys.

Jade and Izzy are about 6 months old... they didn't do a whole lot.
Jade beamed upon us most of the day except for one extended napping
session... And Izzy kept his mommy very busy. Feeding him, bouncing
him, talking to him, changing positions, etc... Izzy has a pretty short
attention span.
And the big kids roamed the land and found reptiles and such.
And R2, who is neither big nor little, stayed pretty close to the food.
A boy after my own heart.

Now it is morning, and the rain is coming down on my tin roof. And I
just love it. Christmas is on the way!

Well, yesterday was a blast of course.

7 am Mama shows up with the turkey... I can't sleep anyway so I go and
talk while she cooks things

8 something Richy and Richy come in ... FruityFrosted O's for the
youngster....

9 more cooking... more talking.... Hernandez's moving cars and cutting
branches on the "softball field"

11:53 Leah and Nate and family arrive.... very exciting sweet potato
casserole also arrives

11:54 Nini and R2 have a crisis

11:57 all is well

11:58 Kai will DIE if he is not fed NOW

12:00 all is well

12:30 or so Velazquezes, then all the Yablonskis quickly arrive,
except for Bobby and John and Val who are out of town

then I don't know... we talk for a while... Hernandez's begin the
sports emporium... then we eat...

I AM SHOCKED TO FIND THAT I LIKE MY MOM'S TURKEY- WHEN I EAT STUFFING
AND GIBLET GRAVY WITH IT....

I tell the family that I will freely admit this here.... I have no
shame... I still like ham better...

Then the big dump-cake-off... Mikey won by one vote after a spirited
campaign.... I, however, was heartened to find a few new loyal
constituents among the Yablonskis... next year, next year...

Later: the guys go play VERY loud music in the studio... maybe a
little sports with the Hernandi... the women talk and a couple
Velazquez's fall asleep

Later: More eating

Throughout: Kai issues alerts and his demands are met... Nini has
excitement and crises... R2 is very concerned

Later: more eating and the guys figure out I have a TV. Farewell, men.
Kai issues alert. Velazquez women leave, Mama leaves... The men find
out Juan has a bigger TV. Farewell again.

The Cowboys lose. Bobby, Mike, Chris, and Mikey go home...

The Hernandi start a giant bonfire. The Nelsons and Clarks sit on the
deck and watch. Kai sleeps. Nini and R2 scream high-pitched
encouragement to the fire-makers....

The Nelsons go home.

The Clarks watch Finding Nemo with R2 and go to sleep. Oh, and R1
cleans the house...

a very successful Yablonski gathering... I loved having it at my house.

Give thanks.... and eat.... and give thanks again......

and eat....

WOO-HOO!

there's a minister han-day... and it sure would be dan-day... ah never mind



I have an ultrasound and a drs. appointment today... so I will be leaving at 11-ish... but my appointments are 2 hours apart so I'll bring my computer and see if I can hop in here from some wireless connection somewhere.

I ran into the couch a couple nights ago and now my toe is swollen and purple. I've waited for "Man day" to share this. Also suggested yesterday was food reviews... local restaurants and such... just in case the testosterone is clogging the old craniums and you can't think of anything.

Of a new blog now... you've all gone home. I was at HEB.... holy moley

I don't have an appointment today. They are both on Wednesday this
week. So I'll miss most of Guy's Day but I'm sure I'll enjoy the
catch-up.

Today I am thinking of things I am thankful for. One of the lessons
that I have learned over the last 6 years is how good can come out of
tragedy... and there is always something to be glad about.
For JESUS!
I am so thankful for Richy (the 1st). He's my favorite person.
I'm thankful for R2. I'm glad he's like he is. He has taught me
patience and brought me so much joy.
I'm thankful for Rees and Evan. Their brief lives made me a much deeper
person. And they taught us- all of us... how precious life is. Any
life.
I'm thankful for Toby. My gift of peace, Even without having him in my
arms yet, he has stabilized and brought such hope for the future.
For my family... the Yablonskis - you are why I want 5 children. Who
wouldn't want more of what we've got?
For my "other" family- the Clark/Joys - what would my life be like
without you? I can't imagine.

For all of my wonderful wonderful friends. Nobody has it as good as me.
I'm so thankful for my churches.
For my beautiful house
For my car... I still love her even if she ain't what she used to be
For Radiant- the community and this life...
For America
For good ol W

I am so so blessed. And today, at least, I am grateful.

Sorry about the delay everybody. But now the web is MINE!

29 weeks

Your baby's head is in proportion with body now. He appears more like a newborn each and every day!

Fat continues to accumulate under the skin -- only now preparing for entering the *real world*.

Your baby's brain can control primitive breathing and body temperatures.

His eyes can move in their sockets. Soon he will be able to follow a blinking light.

Your baby is increasingly sensitive to changes in light, sound, taste, and smell! Various studies show that your baby may indicate preferences (or disdain) for particular tastes or odors at this stage

He is also moving from side to side, but probably still is head up. In the next few weeks, he will move to the head down birthing position. At times you may feel as if he is performing somersaults for a circus act!

His length is now approximately 15.2 inches (38.6cm) and weight is 2.54 pounds (1153gm)



Conflicting reports on this light- following thing... it seems like he was able to do that a couple weeks ago. Not that I tried it. But basically from here on out he gets stronger and fatter.... the developmental reports don't change a whole lot.

What the heck, huh? This is amazing!

Crystal is still going strong, you few bloggers who voted for the weekend. Although I did see her run at CTK yesterday...

Today I will go to Christ the King

and sit in a hard plastic chair

I will lift my voice and sing

And admire Lindsey's hair

You may ask, would it say

My bum, if it could speak

NO! Not the hardened chairs of gray

For they will bruise the cheek!

It's true enough, I can't deny

The seats are awfully hard

So I will answer in reply

A pillow I'll bring my bum to guard

the end

Last night I rode in a wheelchair at IKEA. Did you know they have
wheelchairs everywhere? It's been a surprise to me. Anyhoo, it wasn't
any cool European wheelchair. Just your basic blue vinyl. Black wheels,
etc, etc. R2 has really been digging this wheelchair phase. He pushes
from behind, and R1 steers from the side. Sometimes R1 gets distracted
and R2 pushes me into things.
We got a new bedframe and some bedroom furniture.... and it was cheaper
than we expected! Ikea is already awesome prices, because everything is
Scandinavian and somehow they get it (whatever) into these little flat
boxes and you have to assemble it yourself. (In theory, the male member
of your house assembles... however I have assembled many a Scandivian
whatsit because I am tired of waiting)
Isn't that a happy thing when you get up there and it rings up LESS?
This is also a very happy thing because it is getting more and more
difficult to get my rotundity up off the mattress and springs on the
floor. Amusing to watch myself in the mirrored closet.

So that's it. The house will be painted today, the deck needs to be
stained but basically we are finished! Oh and this is such a cute
little place... I never knew it could be so pretty. Bring on the
Yablonskis.

Hello all. I am hijacking the blog to make a fun ( I said FUN, F.U.N)
request. Jess and I need help painting our house. We are hoping to
have it done before thanksgiving. This Saturday (tommorow) at 10am
'till 3pm or so, we are painting the outside of the house. I need help
folks. I've done some of it, but it is depressing how slow of a
difference one person makes painting. I need available friends. The
few guys I have mentioned this too seem less than excited. So are
there any takers? We will FEED all guys (and girls) who can help.
Please let Jess know if you are coming. I will buy enough rollers
etc... Jessica and R2 will entertain families with their wit and
sharp humor. Thanks you so much! - love, Richy

*** dadgum hijackers***
If you haven't voted in the poll below, do so!- jess

When will Crystal go into labor?
	Today, or over the weekend
	Thanksgiving Day
	December 1-3
	December 4-10
	December 11-17
	week of her due date 12/23
	LATE!
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Marnin, folks! If you have a specific date, you can just post it in comments!

And the thing about turkey eaters is that a lot of them are turkey
zealots. You know, convincing the reluctant to "try it" for the 25th
year....
Do people really LIKE turkey? Like crave it and just think it tastes so
good?? or is it more of a cultural thing that everybody enjoys... like
beer in Germany or something?

The subject of Thanksgiving food has been on my mind for some time now.
I greatly anticipate the "feed" every year. Now, since I am a shrimp, I
am only capable of consuming bird-like amounts of food at a time.
However, the Yablonski feed is an all day affair and I can come and go
as I please....
The anomaly with me is, I don't like turkey. I repeat for those of you
who are re-reading that sentence, jaws gaping. I don't like turkey. It
is a dry and yet greasy tasteless bird. And - lest you cast aspersions
on Mama, the turkey cooker... I have had all kinds of turkey. Yes, I've
had cajun-injected. I have had deep-fried. I have had turkey bacon. If
someone could make a tasty turkey, I would have already tried it.
Thus... at Thanksgiving, I eat ham. I LOVE ham. If anyone asked me, I
would make our national bird a pig. With brown sugar.
The feast will be laid out... Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet
potatoes, cornbread stuffing, other corn-related items, broccoli and
green-bean based items, sometimes mac and cheese (with real cheese) ...
and over there... some strange looking but delicious cheesecake,
multiple pies with interesting crusts... (Yablonskis, with the
exception of Andy, generally are hit and miss on presentation...), a
slimy looking miserable dump cake from Mikey, brownies, cookies and
whatnot, and occasionally a fruit and creamy Jello thing. And a variety
of beverage. A virtual smorgasboard of off-brand soda, several gallons
of iced tea... etc.
What am I missing? My brain roams the virtual "table" and it seems like
I've done pretty well.

and now you have to wait 7 days.

just can't bring myself to call it "Man Day"

Let's see what the guys come up with today. Maybe a discussion of their deepest held fears. Or how hard it is to find jeans that fit. Or how really, they just need a hug.
Only time will tell.

We set up the bassinet last night.
We had planned on using a Pack-and-Play (translation: playpen) with a
bassinet but Kai is no longer sleeping in this one.... he sleeps in a
bunk bed now.
Not really, but he was 15 pounds at 5 weeks. Not bad, eh?
So it's in here, with the new carpet and it's very strange. Whose house
is this? And is a little baby actually coming here? After all these
years of just the 3 of us? I'm trying to wrap my mind around it.

Doctor's appointment today. See ya.

UPDATE:
Everything is good! My cervix (although not steel) is holding out! I have an ultrasound next week... and in a few weeks I get to be a guinea pig for their new 3-D ultrasound! Hooray!

Eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!

Hair on baby's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut!

Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!

Your baby's body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.

Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in your womb!

Lungs are capable of breathing now

Talk to your baby often, reading stories, singing songs and more. He or she can recognize your voice now and will often calm to it later on!

Your baby weighs in now at 2.2 pounds (1005gm) and is 14.8 inches (37.6cm).


This is a big milestone for the Tobester! 7 months! YAY! I am getting giddier and giddier with every week!

Today: the carpet guys are coming to (imagine) lay carpet. I will be exiled to the Hernandez house. So I may not be on the blog much till the afternoon. BUT WHAT A DAY! 28 WEEKS!

Well, last night was the Randy Travis concert. Don't get me wrong.
There was some good singing and music. But when you grow up a Yablonski
and then marry a Rocker you have a little different idea of "concert".
But it was nice. We sat down and listened to the songs. And maybe
because I am a sinner, my favorite one was the country one he did....
Forever and Ever...
At one point I thought, this guy and Mick Jagger are probably the same
age. But this music is appropriate for a "seasoned" citizen to be
singing. No leather pants, no sticking out his tongue, etc. Just Shall
We Gather at the River and so forth.
Arberto had a good night. His friend from work came and agreed that
Richy's hair was thinner. And then when R & R played mini golf, Rob won
because of a stellar hole-in-one. Stephanie had managed to leave Izzy
with VG, so we talked about anything and everything, as usual.
Fun was had by all, but I walked too much and had contractions and am
now grounded from the barbecue at Sanctuary. Nuts.
You gotta know when to fold 'em.

Well, here we are again at the weekend. Generally pretty quiet on the
ol' blog over the weekend.

Today our plan is to move out most of our furniture and tear up the old
carpet to get ready for... dum dum dum dum.... the NEW carpet coming on
Monday! Hooray! Mine will be more of a supervisory role.
And then it's off to see Randy Travis in concert. We'll be hanging with
half of the Arberto family, Arb, Steph and Izzy as he is not yet
detachable...

Richy loves Randy T's gospel albums... I think it's his Arkansas roots.
He is part Arkansian, part Danish. He and Rob find ol Randy very
soothing. Me, I have different roots. I like Aretha. And maybe if
Skynrd made a gospel album. Or something.

When I was looking for the Charlie Brown tree picture I found this one.

Well, yesterday ended up being a record day after all. Congrats,
everybody!

Happy 27 weeks Julie! And isn't this some kinda holiday? Veterans Day
or something?
The creative juices are not flowing this morning... No topic leaps to
mind. Maybe later.

I have no idea why the comments locked up... continue, ladies!
And any male who dares comment today!

Champion bowling team

I talk to myself.
There, now you know.
I do a little of your run of the mill "What should I eat.... let's
see..." talking.
But the funnier part is just little snippets of nonsensical
conversation that run through my head. And sometimes I just find myself
talking. One phrase I'm relishing right now is "Statistical
difficulty". I don't think about it, don't try to fit it in a
conversation... just hear myself whispering statistical difficulty on
occasion.
When I was little I had imaginary friends that I carried on
conversations with. I always thought it was being a baby born after
twins...
Now I just say things to myself. What does it mean?
Psychologists would probably have a blast with me. Not because I'm
nuts. That just runs in my blood. But just because I'm weird.
Can you believe Georgia is still pregnant? Now that's a statistical
difficulty.

YAY! We could do guys day here on the blog, but Matt's out... and we female types might as well take over. Feel free to suggest topics, though, males.

Rumor has it that Eli H Tullos is on his way! Hooray!!

Got a doctor's appointment today... you know the routine. See you in a
few.

UPDATE: 11:40
My cervix is unchanged. Hooray! I promise you, my friends... once this baby is born you will not hear about my cervix anymore!
Today was fun because Dr Reed started talking about the birth.... planning for it and so forth... It's just a different world than we've ever been in!
Then I almost fainted after my glucose test and they had to bring me crackers... oh, well.
So I don't have the results of my fetal fibronectin or glucose tests... but everything looks good! YAY!


IZZY

"How your baby's growing: Your baby is really starting to fill up your
uterus. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches
long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he
sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and
although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of
functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely.
Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby
hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts
only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle.
With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active
now. Wonder what he's thinking?"

I'm 27 weeks! Hooray! What an exciting feeling to be here! We have
every indication that this baby is staying put, but if he were born
soon, he would have a better than 90% chance of survival! I'm not
telling him, though. All he's hearing is Aren't you so comfy? Just have
a nice rest there on top of my lungs and bladder simultaneously.
Feeling a little giddy about this milestone, folks.

Yesterday was a fun day. I made Richy pancakes and a ham and egg
omelette... my first. I can't say any of it looked so great, but he
said it tasted great. Me and eggs... not so much.
Visited Crystal and Randy- Richy's a dropper-inner... makes me nervous
but oh well.
We went to Lowe's and I rode in the wheelchair while we ordered and
paid for our new carpet... this place is going to be so nice! And we
emptied our savings but that's what we were saving for! So that was
really exciting!
Then off to Cinco where we used a gift certificate... you have to
understand that I think spending money is really stressful.... so free
things are the most fun ever!
THEN we went to Babies R Us and I rode in the wheelchair again and we
registered. Have to say there was a little more hostility about the
wheelchair there... All the women who are about 12 months pregnant were
questioning my wheelchair-worthiness... I could tell. Plus some people
park me in the middle of the aisle and take off.

It is still just sinking in that we're going to have a baby. Very
surreal.
Then home home because I was sooooo tired.

and his twin...

28 big ones today... He said all he wanted for his birthday was for me
to still be pregnant and everything to be good. You got it!
But I got him some presents too. Now I will go and cook breakfast while
sitting in a chair.

The first birthday we celebrated together was his 17th. Rob invited me
over to a party and I went. Mama and Daddy were pretty sharp, but
somehow this one slipped past them... but hey... that was AGES ago!

I don't care for this new schedule. It gets dark before I'm ready for
night. And it gets bright very very early. Almost as early as the
rooster over here thinks it should be. About 4 in the morning, our
rooster starts threatening the neighborhood. And then all the roosters
unite in hatred and call back and forth... "I could kill you if I
wasn't in this cage..", "Well, you should see how big my head ruff
is!", "Well, you should see how many fine lookin hens I got in here!"
and so forth.

Did you know Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings? Just the same
ol' schedule, year in and year out. Neither does Saskatchewan, but I
won't bring Canada into this. Arizona just said "No, thanks", and that
was that.
This is why the South fought and WON the War of Northern Aggression! So
we could choose, as a state, to make our own laws! So why is Texas, the
best and bravest state of all, taking this lying down? We could make
our own time zone and everybody would just have to DEAL with it.

But in the meantime, I will rise at 7 something because God turned on
the lights. Cruel.

Oh and on another note: You may notice in the sidebar a new link to All
Our Countdowns. Check it out! And you can read through yesterday's
second post to learn how to get your own countdown... or just ask.

Update on earlier post

I have an early appointment today... pray for an awesome report!

UPDATE
It was a great appointment.... no cervical change! So we all agreed that the ultrasounds are more of a hindrance than a help right now, so we're not doing any more for a while. FINE with me... they were a pain.
Next week is my glucose test. No big deal but fun to me because I've never had one!

I dare you to make me laugh....

Well, my appointment went ok... except the hospital is cracking down on
the "don't tell the patient anything" policy so I had to wait till one
of Dr Reed's nurses called... looks like my cervix is slightly shorter
but still in a great range... last time they told me this, their
measurement was wrong. So I'm not worrying about it. I see Dr R on
Thursday...

It's November! Hooray! This year is rocketing past, and that's great
with me!
I have an ultrasound today... just a view from down under... probably
no pictures of the Tobester. And then I may turn the screws on the old
Board of Director to go order the carpet....
We should have this house completely finished in time for the Yablonski
Thanksgiving. And who knows what will happen there. Thanksgiving is
wilder than Christmas because at Christmas we have 3 activities.
Eating, singing and PRESENTS. At Thanksgiving we just have eating and
singing. Pretty much. There is pantomime, of sorts, dramatic
presentations and whatnot.
Next year we'll have a great crop of little people... Nini and R2, Kai
and Toby, and Shasbot Allen... so far. And the quads if they're born
yet. Babies change things. It's very interesting. Kai and Nini came to
the recording both nights and Kai seems to fit right in to the
Yablonski mold (God Help Us All if there is a mold). He does the baby
bobblehead big eyes and doesn't fall asleep until the volume has
exceeded decent levels....

Tomorrow is guy's day.... we'll see if they used up all their steam
last week...
Update in the afternoon. Later.