Baby T's Birthday - part 2

Mon, Jan 28th, 2013 - 1:50pm

9.5 cm meant that it was "GO" time & things started to move real fast! They had paged the OB & in a matter of a few minutes, my cozy little room turned into a delivery room. In wheeled the surgical table, out came the stirrups, in came my OB & just like that I was instructed to start pushing! 

I got a little scared as things around us moved so quickly & I couldn't comprehend that in just a short time our little boy would be here. I looked over & saw that my hubby seemed to have that same "fearful" look on his face so I reached over, grabbed his hand & asked him if he was ready for this. He responded "hells yeah" (which is such a typical answer coming from him) & at that moment I knew it was all going to be ok.

I pushed for about 30 minutes & at 2:24 pm our little miracle - Mason James - arrived into this world! I think this picture pretty much sums up all the raw emotion I felt at that moment:

He weighed 7 lbs 4oz & was 20.5 inches long:

Proud Mommy with Mason:

  

And an even prouder Papa with his son:

 

We walked in to the hospital as a family of two & are leaving the hospital as a family of three & we couldn't be more in love with this little guy:

Like father like son:

I feel so very blessed to have had such an uneventful, fast, easy labor & my hubby was such a rockstar through it all! We can't wait to get Mason home & begin our new life as a family of three!

Baby T's Birthday

Sunday - Jan 27th, 2013 

I can't believe the time has finally come. Hopefully by this time tomorrow we will be meeting our son. I am so full of emotions right now but am trying to embrace every minute up until our little boy's arrival. 

I am going to write down all the events leading up to Baby T's arrival just so I have a record of it & I don't forget anything. Hence the "informality" of this post - it is more for our keepsake but wanted to share our experience with you all ;)

 - We were admitted at 8:30pm & the next hour involved going over paperwork, getting an IV, getting hooked up to the monitors, going over my "do's & don't's" for the next 12 hours & lastly inserting the Cervidil to get my labor "jump-started". The nurse did an internal exam right before she inserted the medicine & I was bummed to hear that I was 0% effaced & 0 cm dilated - however she said my cervix was very soft so things were beginning to "progress somewhat" down there - not at all what I had wanted to hear. The Cervidil was to stay in for 10 hours & they were going to remove it by 6am & see where I was at. Spent lots of time praying to the "cervix dilating" God's to pretty please make some sort of magic happen down there by morning!

Monday - Jan 28th, 2013

 - I slept pretty good up until around 4am where I ended up having a lot of cramping & contractions so I was praying that things were starting to work. If not we would have to start with fresh Cervidil & wait another 10 hours. The nurse checked me again & I was thrilled to hear that I was 90% effaced & 3 cm dilated - whoop whoop! If I could have gotten out of bed I would have done a happy dance! Soon after, she started the Pitocin drip & my contractions were off to a good start. I managed to spend the next 4 hours breathing & getting through them the best I could.

By 11am, the contractions were getting pretty strong & a little more difficult to manage. In 4 hours I had only gone from 3 to 5 cm & I was starting to imagine a horribly long labor & I think panic kind of set in. As tough & strong as I wanted to be through it all, I ended up caving & asked for the epidural. I just didn't think mentally or physically I could go all day without the relief.

The CRNA came up shortly after my request & inserted the epidural which to my surprise didn't hurt as much as I thought it would. Until I felt this horrible "zinging" several times down my right leg as he adjusted the catheter. I uncontrollably kicked poor Shane who was trying to comfort me & then as quick as it began it was all done. I started to relax after my legs went numb & was relieved to know it would be smooth-sailing from here on out. That is until an hour later when I could STILL feel my contractions - which were getting more & more intense. It was now around noon & I was at 6cm. After much discussion with my nurse & Shane, I had decided to go ahead & ask another CRNA to come up & re-do the epidural. I was hesitant to ask again because I didn't know what the "norm" was  - was I to feel the contractions somewhat? should I not be feeling anything? my legs are numb so why was I feeling all the contractions? did the epidural not work? would a 2nd one work? -   & I hated to be considered "one of those patients." But according to my nurse she said what I was feeling was not normal & suggested they re-do it so I took her advice & that is what we did. 

I felt no discomfort with the 2nd epidural & almost immediately I couldn't feel my contractions either. My nurse was watching the monitor & had asked me "did you feel that contraction?" & I answered her "what contraction?" & she laughed & said "that is more like it"! Ah - relief! SO glad they talked me into getting another one. 

 

 Relief after the 2nd epidural & our very last picture as a "family of two" :)

It was around 1:15 pm when I started feeling "pressure" in my bottom with each contraction. I wasn't supposed to be checked again until 1:45pm but called the nurse in to ask her about this "pressure" & I jokingly asked if Baby T could start crowning without me knowing it. She replied more than likely no, but would check me just to relieve my fear. I remember the look on her face clearly after that last internal check. Her eyes got big & said "um - are ready to have a baby? You are 9.5cm & his head is right there!" I remember looking over at Shane, grabbing his hand & I am sure we both looked terrified - excited, nervous, happy & yes - definitely terrified!

At that moment, I thought things got real several days ago - but let me tell you the minute I heard her say that, shit got real X's 10 & I remember this scared feeling came over me & I thought holy shit - this is really happening - we are about to have a baby!! 

I think at that moment my denial went out the window & I had finally accepted that we were going to be taking home this precious miracle from God.

...to be cont'd

Nursery Reveal

I just realized I never revealed to you all what the nursery looks like! We are really pleased with how it turned out & I can't tell you how many times I have gone in there just to sit in the super comfy chair, look around & just take it all in.

Before the room was transformed into a nursery, it was our office/computer room. Here are a few before pics:

The book shelf, desk & computer are all now located in the basement. Let the transformation begin! Here Shane & I starting to paint the walls with Kilz:

It took us 2 weekends to get it all done & I absolutely love it! Unfortunately the pictures don't truly show the "warmness" of the room & all the colors. The walls look yellow in the pics but in person it is more of a caramel color. The furniture is an espresso color, the drapes & glider are a khaki color that matches the crib skirt & the blue throw rug ties in to the crib bedding & the blue in the pictures on the wall. 

Here is our finished project:

The only thing that is left to do is add a few things to the wall next to the glider. I ordered 2 espresso colored 3' floating wall shelves which will go above the glider. I am going to rest the picture that is there now on one of them with some other "trinkets" & the 2nd shelf I am going to put books on. Kind of like this Pinterest-inspired idea:

They should be here sometime next week so looking forward to finishing that last little touch! And then, the nursery will be complete :)

Retailers:
Circus Friends nursery bedding: Pottery Barn Kids 
Gingham blackout drapes: Pottery Barn Kids
Circus prints: Etsy
Crib/dresser: JCPenny
Glider: JCPenny
Throw rug: JCPenny
Chair end table: Hobby Lobby
Lamp: Walmart
Letters: bought at Jo-Ann Fabrics & made them myself
Teddy: purchased at Costco & given to Baby T as a gift

39 weeks

Wow - I can hardly believe I am posting my very last update & taking my very last photo with Baby T in my belly. As I type this, I am kickin' it here in my hospital bed getting ready for "eviction day" tomorrow & by the time this is posted, my induction will be well on it's way. It all seems so surreal...

This pregnancy has gone by super fast & honestly I couldn't have asked for a better 9 months! I have had no complications (other than a little hypertension), my weight gain is right where we wanted it to end up, I haven't been uncomfortable (other than this past week), have had no swelling, have slept pretty well during the night & other than some annoying heartburn & reflux I just really have no complaints with how things have gone. I can honestly say I have LOVED every minute of being pregnant. This may be the only time I get to experience pregnancy & I am so thankful I had such a positive & healthy experience. With that said I have SO many emotions running through me & I want to put them in writing to make sure I never forget this feeling at this moment.

I am going to seriously miss feeling Baby T's kicks, rolls & hiccups & even though we will meet him soon - this makes me sad. Doesn't that sound crazy? I think it's because I know he is safe in my belly - protected from sickness, hurt, & harm & it will be a lot harder to protect him from those things on the outside. 

(& cue the tears....)

I worry about being a good mother. I worry about being a good wife while I am trying to be a good mother. I am saddened that it will no longer be "just me & Shane" as it has been for the last 12 years. I am worried our time will be all about the baby & the furries will feel neglected. I worry the furries won't accept the new baby & will be nothing but troublesome for us. I worry about an extremely long labor. I worry about complications & fear the unknown of what today will bring us.

Ugh - so many thoughts running through my head. What I do know is that our world is about to be turned upside down - for the better - & I just hope I am able to handle all the changes that will come with it along with my hubby.

Only time will tell.

So with that said, I guess the next time you see a post, it will be about Baby T's arrival & the name will finally be revealed to all who keep asking me what it is :)

How far along? 39 weeks- baby should weigh a bit over 7 lbs & measures around 20 inches long

Symptoms: LOTS of contractions, lots of pressure on bladder, lower back aches along with my hips, developed a serious "waddle" this week!

Weight gain/loss: 0 lbs +/- at my appt last week - holding steady at 22 lbs gained so far

Maternity clothes? oh yes - all the time

Sleep: This week sleep has gone down hill. I wake up at 1am & again at 3 am & can't fall back asleep so I am up for the morning. Either my body is getting ready for Baby T's existance or I am too nervous/excited/anxious about his delivery & can't turn my mind off - probably a little of both.

Food cravings/aversions: none really as my appetite has really decreased this week

Movement? Baby T is still rolling all around in there. I can tell his head is right on top of my bladder with each roll & it is starting to get pretty uncomfortable.

What I miss: Sleep, my energy, being able to bend over to put on socks or shoes!
 
Best moment(s) this week: this past Friday was my last day of work for 3 whole months - whoop whoop!!

What I'm looking forward to: meeting this little guy :)

Next appointment: Will see my OB a week after Baby T's arrival.

Milestones: Baby T's waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it's likely he already measures about 20 inches & weighs a bit over 7 pounds. The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. Won't be long now!

38 weeks

How far along? 38 weeks - at our growth scan this past week Baby T was estimated to weigh 6lbs 4 oz & should be over 19 inches long

Symptoms: Lower back pain & abdominal cramping with contractions started this week. The heartburn/reflux is much better since he has dropped a bit & I have really noticed a "slow down" in my movements & energy this week!

Weight gain/loss: 0 lbs +/- at my appt last week - holding steady at 22 lbs gained so far

Maternity clothes? oh yes - all the time

Sleep: Still going good. Not too uncomfortable yet - still get up a couple of times during the night!

Food cravings/aversions: my appetite has really slowed this week so not really having any cravings of anything specific

Movement? All the time. Not as many kicks but can feel him rolling all around. SO strange to watch my belly when he is moving! Looks like a little alien is trying to get out of my tummy :)

What I miss: being able to bend over to do simple things

Best moment(s) this week: my blood pressure's have been stable so no unexpected early delivery of Baby T

What I'm looking forward to: meeting this little guy :)

Next appointment: Wed, Jan 23rd - weekly biophysical ultrasound, NST check & OB visit

Milestones: Baby T has a firm grasp, which we'll soon be able to test when we hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured & are ready for life outside the womb - which isn't too far away!

Eviction Notice

Went in for my weekly check this past Friday & I am happy to report me & Baby T are doing good. Baby T passed his sono with flying colors & appears to be in no distress. My BP has been holding steady in the 130's/80's, there was no protein in my 24 hour urine collection, my labs all came back within normal limits & I have minimal swelling. 

So no signs of pre-eclampsia...just pregnancy-induced hypertension. When I exert myself or do too much my pressure goes up but comes right back down with rest so it has been manageable. I have been taking it pretty easy this past week & Shane has been super helpful around the house with getting stuff done for me.

At this appointment we also discussed with my OB our birth plan & what we would like to see happen. Then she burst my little bubble as she explained to us what she would prefer to happen. As you can guess we all weren't exactly on the same page.

I had these lovely visions of working all the way up until my water broke on it's own & then having this smooth, flawless natural delivery. My OB pretty much jolted me back to reality pretty quick when she said how she doesn't want me going past 40 weeks due to my age, being hypertensive, high risk with a known clotting factor, etc & then she threw the "I" word at us.....induction :(

Ugh - I SO didn't want to hear that. My little dreams of everything going naturally were crushed. However, after she explained to us that the potential risks of waiting for labor to start on it's own are far higher than the risks of the procedures used to get my labor going so I guess it didn't sound so bad. In the end, she is only looking after me & Baby T's well-being. I would hate for something detrimental to happen to me or Baby T just because I was being selfish & wanted this "perfect" natural birth to happen so we eventually agreed & were all on the same page once again.

So with that said, Baby T has officially been given his "eviction notice":

I am to be admitted the evening of Sunday, Jan 27th where they will check my cervix & see if I have thinned out or started to dilate. If things aren't progressing, then they will apply medication to the cervix overnight to try to get things going on their own. If my cervix IS ready to go & I have started to dilate a few centimeters, then they will break my water & hope labor starts on it's own. If it doesn't start on it's own then they will start Pitocin & hope things happen from there. Regardless of which route is taken, Baby T will be making his entrance into the world on either Jan 28th or 29th.

Which if anyone is doing the math that is only 8 days away. Wait......what??

8 days??? There's that denial thing again.

I can hardly believe that in 1 week we will be meeting our little miracle. Feels more like a dream than reality right now. I guess whether we are ready or not he will be here - in eight. short. days.

Looks like I need to finish packing my hospital bag :)

Bully Love

This is a typical evening here at the Taylor household :)

It consists of me kickin' it on the couch watching TV with a bulldog on my right & a bulldog on my left - literally laying in my lap. These two don't leave my side, are very protective of me since I have been pregnant & LOVE their Mama!

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens with the Bullies once Baby T gets here! They are going to have to share their Mama & I have a feeling they may not like it!?

Creeping Up

Due to my age, clotting factor & high-risk status, to say I have made it to 37 weeks without any complications is amazing - maybe even miraculous? I should have known that things were going TOO well!? I also learned a very important lesson this week - at 37 weeks you should have your hospital bag packed by now!

At my 36 week appointment, Baby T had his ultrasound & scored 8/8, my amniotic fluid level was good & he did awesome during his non-stress test! Then it came time to check my blood pressure - 142/100! 

Whoa - what? I have run 120's/60's this entire pregnancy so how can this be? The nurses seemed quite concerned so they made me lay on my left side for 20 minutes & then re-checked it. They warned me that if it wasn't coming down I would be admitted to the hospital & asked if I had my bag packed yet.

My bag? Um no, there is no bag packed because I have PLENTY of time to pack my bag. For some reason I just couldn't go there mentally. Call it denial, I guess. I told the nurse I didn't have any bag packed & she looked at me shocked & said "um, you need to get that bag packed sister"! At that moment, shit just got real!

Luckily, my BP had come down to my norm so they let me go on to work but they wanted me to check it randomly throughout the day until next week's appointment. If it were to creep back up I was to call the office & speak to the nurse. I also had to get labs drawn before I left.

The next day they called with my lab results. My uric acid & creat levels were slightly elevated. Along with the hypertension, this signals the beginning stages of pre-eclampsia - boo :( The rest of the week my pressure remained in a "safe-zone" never getting higher than 130's/80's & I only had mild ankle swelling but come the weekend I was unable to check my BP so I tried to just take it easy & not do anything too strenuous - which included NOT packing my hospital bag.

Monday proved that things can change in a skinny minute.

It was around 2pm & I noticed I had a headache & was seeing "floaters" in my vision so thought it be best I checked my BP. Well, it was 145/95 :( I really hadn't been doing anything other than a lot of walking so I sat down with my feet elevated  for about 20 minutes & then checked it again - 151/90. I then made the phone call to the Dr's office. It took them 2 hours to call me back which was kind of annoying but once they finally called they told me to go directly to St. Lukes South to be admitted for overnight monitoring. Shit just got real again & I STILL didn't have my bag packed yet! Ugh....should have packed that damn thing last week!!

I made my way to the hospital, called a few peeps to give them a "heads up" of what was going on, got admitted, hooked up to the fetal monitor, had labs drawn, started a 24 hour urine collection & was monitored until the next morning.

I have to mention that my dear friend Jill is a God-send! She drove to my house without hesitation, let the dogs out, fed them, packed an overnight bag for me & spent a couple of hours with me at the hospital keeping me company watching the KU game until Shane could get there! Such a blessing to have her in my life!

My BP eventually came down after laying in bed for a few hours & Baby T was a rock-star on the monitor. I also noticed I was having lots of contractions throughout the night & it was kind of cool seeing them on the monitor which didn't affect Baby T at all so that was a good sign. Since I was having contractions, the nurse did a cervical check to see if I was dilated at all (which was NOT pleasant) & was disappointed to hear I was 0 cm dilated & my cervix was still "high & closed". With only 3 weeks left & all these contractions this past week I was hoping I was starting to dilate a bit but no go :(

After an uneventful night, one of my OB's partners came by to see me in the morning & let me know that he was pleased with the downward trend of my BP's, my lab results all came back normal, Baby T looked great on the monitor & all was good enough for me to go home. YAY - was so relieved to hear that! As much as I want to meet Baby T, I wasn't ready for hospital bed rest, talk of inductions or even C-sections!

So my instructions this week are to "take it easy", recline whenever possible with my feet up, continue checking BP's randomly throughout the day, notify the office if it goes above 140's/90's again & oh, get my hospital bag packed!!!

I have my follow-up & weekly appointment on Friday morning so we will hopefully get through the week & go from there. As of right now Baby T isn't coming anytime soon & I am ok with that!!

37 weeks

How far along? 37 weeks - baby should weigh over 6 1/3 lbs & is more than 19 inches long

Symptoms: This week I can definitely tell my body is preparing for labor!! Baby T has started to "drop" & looks noticeably lower in my belly. With that came more pressure in my lower abdomen when I get up/walk. Braxton hicks contractions have become a lot more frequent now, are more intense, lasting longer, & getting more uncomfortable. The heartburn is better but not the reflux & getting really tired by mid-day!

Weight gain/loss: 1 lb gained - up a total of 22 lbs gained so far

Maternity clothes? yes - all the time now

Sleep: Still sleeping pretty good - getting up about 3 x's a night.

Food cravings/aversions: I have developed a serious "sweet-tooth" these past couple of weeks. Everyday around 3pm I head down to the coffee shop at work & get 2 PB cookies with milk - yum!

Movement? All the time.

What I miss: putting on shoes with ease :)

Best moment(s) this week: getting one more week closer to my due date

What I'm looking forward to: this little guy's arrival

Next appointment: Friday, Jan 18th - weekly biophysical ultrasound, NST check as well as OB visit

Milestones: Baby T is now considered "full term," even though my due date is three weeks away. If I go into labor now, his lungs will likely be mature enough to fully adjust to life outside the womb.

36 weeks

Tonight I had my breastfeeding class & wow was it ever informative! I had no idea so much went into breastfeeding a baby. There were lots of handouts, resources given & great questions asked. I made sure to take a lot of notes so I am hoping I am able to do it without any trouble - from either one of us! Thankfully the hospital I am delivering at has a wonderful lactation department & lots of resources to get help if you need it. My sister is also letting me use her Medela breast pump so that is a HUGE savings for us. Now I just need to go buy the "starter kit" that goes with it & read up on how to use it. 

We also have our pre-admission appointment & hospital tour tomorrow morning along with our birthing class this Saturday so slowly but surely we are checking things off of our "to-do" list before baby arrives.

I didn't get time to snap a pic outside in my usual spot tonight so the classy "bathroom shot" is going to have to do. 36 weeks with only 4 weeks left - not that I'm counting down or anything?!  :)

How far along? 36 weeks - baby should weigh over 6 lbs & is more than 18 1/2 inches long

Symptoms: Starting to feel a lot of pressure low in my abdomen when I get up, the usual heartburn/reflux, really getting tired by mid-day - other than that I am feeling pretty good!

Weight gain/loss: 0 lbs +/- at my appt last week - holding steady at 21 lbs gained so far

Maternity clothes? yes - all the time now

Sleep: Pretty darn good with the body pillow! Still getting up 2-3 x's to pee.

Food cravings/aversions: Grilled ham/cheese sandwiches & cheese/crackers

Movement? All the time. Not as many kicks but can feel him rolling all around & lots of hiccups. SO strange to watch my belly when he is moving & rolling around! Looks like a little alien is trying to get out of my tummy :)

What I miss: my energy :)

Best moment(s) this week: Making it into the last 4 weeks of this pregnancy!

What I'm looking forward to: Touring the hospital tomorrow, dinner out with my girlfriends on Wed & going to our birthing class on Sat.

Next appointment: Wed, Jan 9th - weekly biophysical ultrasound & NST check

Milestones: Baby T is shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered & protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, which will form the contents of his first bowel movement. Most of the bones (soft skull aside) in his little body are now completely hardened, providing a solid structure from which he can now make his grand entrance into the world. His muscle tone is improving also & you would be impressed by his steel-like Ulnar grasp (newborn reflex that occurs if you lay your finger in their palm) At the end of this week, Baby T will be considered full-term. Most likely he's in a head-down position & Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now.

Annual Baking Day

Every year around Christmas time I spend one Sunday & bake my little heart out making all kinds of holiday treats. I then box them up & hand them out to our cul-de-sac neighbors & a few friends. It has become a yearly tradition & the neighbors have told me at our get-together's that they look so very forward to my "treat box" every year which makes all my hard efforts worth it.

I was unsure whether or not I would have the energy this year - being 35 weeks pregnant - to stand on my feet all day baking but I pressed on thinking this might just be the very last year I am able to enjoy this by myself without a "helper" getting his little hands into everything :) I also couldn't let the neighbors down!
 
So on Friday I carefully selected the menu of what I was going to make/bake & wrote out the grocery list. Saturday I bought all the groceries & on Sunday I spent a good part of the day baking away. 

Millie didn't leave my side all day - wasn't sure if she just wanted to hang with her Mi-Ma or if she was enjoying cleaning up the floor from all the baked goods that "accidentally" fell on the floor :) lol

So this year I made Mint Oreo Truffles, chocolate dipped caramels with walnuts:

Peanut butter cups, English toffee & Salted Nut with Caramel cookies:

And of course Iced Sugar Cookies (my favorite):

I packaged everything up in cute little boxes & delivered the "goods" to all our neighbors this evening. I then came home, proceeded to pour a tall glass of milk, put my feet up & enjoy a few baked goods for myself :) 

Another annual baking day in the books! We will see what next year brings...

35 weeks

35 weeks & around 35 days left to go - What. The. Heck. That just doesn't seem possible. This pregnancy is flying by & it makes me nervous to know that in just a few short weeks Baby T could come at anytime. I still have so much to do - hospital tour, breastfeeding class, birthing class, weekly Dr appts, putting the finishing touches on the nursery, washing all the adorable baby clothes hanging in the closet, going through everything & seeing what else I need, assembling the pack-n-play, the swing, bouncy seat.....ugh it is getting all so overwhelming just writing it all out.

One thing is for sure - Baby T will come whether we are ready or not so I will try not to stress - yeah right!

How far along? 35 weeks - baby has passed the 18 inches mark & should weigh over 5 1/4 lbs

Symptoms: Reflux, noticing lots more Braxton-Hicks contractions, getting super tired in the afternoon which usually requires a nap, hips are starting to ache & the swelling in my ankles usually shows up around mid-day.

Weight gain/loss: will weigh-in at my Dr's appt this week (total of 21 lbs so far)

Maternity clothes? yes - all the time now

Sleep: I have started sleeping with the body pillow my sister gave me every night now which has helped a TON! Still wake up a couple of times a night to go to the bathroom & change positions but sleep has become much better using that pillow!!

Food cravings/aversions: baby carrots with Ranch & cheese/crackers

Movement? I had a little scare last week as Baby T wasn't very active for a couple of days. I had my biophysical & NST exam during that time & the nurse assured me that he is perfectly fine & is just running out of room so I won't feel him move/kick as much. I do my "kick counts" everyday & he always knocks those out within 10 min so he is doing good despite me being a "nervous nelly"! He remains head down & feet up in my ribs!

What I miss: my energy :)

Best moment(s) this week: hitting the 35 week mark & celebrating the Christmas holiday with my hubby

What I'm looking forward to: finishing up the nursery & awaiting Baby T's arrival

Next appointment: Friday, Jan 4th - visit to the OB, weekly biophysical ultrasound & NST check

Milestones: Because he is so snug in your womb, Baby T isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks or rolls should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now & his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.