Exhibit A

Adam has made the request that I post this picture. Since he does not even read the blog (I kid you not), I figured I would humor him and maybe get a few post ideas or contributions from his point of view in the future.

Anyway, he thinks that this is the first fish that I have ever caught on his boat. I know this is not true, I have caught a few others but he always makes me throw them back. ("Almost a keeper, but just a little bit too small...") It must be some strange caveman gene in him, because we only eat fish that he has caught.

But, he was very proud of me and insisted on commemerating the occasion with a photo (which he also wants to put in his office. At work.) I agreed to post the picture selfishly to exhibit what a fibber he is. He tells me that I don't look any different, including my face (other than the alien belly button which I told my niece Reece was the baby's finger). Do you see how chubby my face looks? So bizarre.

Adam's Other Baby

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of a trip with Captain Adam, here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

And we have a winner...

Proving that this process is not at all democratic, we have selected a bedding set that only had one vote...

Pottery Barn Kids A to Z

Merri is the only one allowed to come into the nursery! I gave Adam the final say since I like all of them. On this one, I liked the bright colors and that there were a lot of things to look at. Adam liked it because it had a cheeseburger on it. To each his own...

P.S. (We know who voted. Don't bother sucking up to us and putting in a last minute vote that agrees with our choice, or trying to change your vote. Too late! Baby S won't care if you don't like his/her room, but don't be surprised if she spits up on you or he pees on you. This kid will have a memory like an elephant! But don't worry Mer, he/she will always like you.)

Thanks Brenda!

We came home from our trip today to a lovely surprise in our mailbox. Adam's cousin Brenda sent us a book entitled Eats, Poops and Leaves. The subtitle is "The Essential Apologies, Rationalizations, and Downright Denials Every New Parent Needs to Know and other Fundamentals of Baby Etiquette."

The book looks hysterical and extremely helpful! I will definitely take it seriously, as Brenda is almost to be considered an expert. She is the MOTHER OF TWO YEAR OLD TWIN BOYS!

Thanks Brenda!

Back in Blogland

Well, we are back from our short trip to Bermuda. We left on Tuesday morning to help my brother Kevin celebrate his 40th birthday. Kevin and his family took a cruise there for a week and we flew down to meet them. A great time was had by all.

If you have never been, Bermuda is a very beautiful country and a nice place to visit. It is only an hour and a half plane ride from NY, so it is a nice quick getaway. The people there are all extremely gracious and friendly, and very, very proper. The island is spotlessly clean, and picturesque. We had great weather, and spent a lot of time relaxing at the pool and beach.

We even snuck in a short fishing trip this morning before we left. Of course, Adam was pulling in fish left and right, and I didn't catch any. I did manage to lose a lot of bait however, and even had a fish eat my hook. The fishing trip did give me a new way to describe Baby Schnell's current movement pattern to Adam. We saw a school of fish that were shaped like very small dolphins near our boat. They were jumping in and out if the water very erratically, but enthusiastically. I told him that is what the baby feels like right now. A very long, skinny fish flopping around in my stomach.

The only downside to Bermuda is that it is very expensive. We are used to NYC prices and considered it expensive, so it is that bad! But, in their defense, they have a very short tourist season, and most of their items need to be imported from other countries. We will definitely go back again.

In other news, congratulations to Cousin Judy on the birth of her first grandchild! Her grandson Jack was born on Tuesday, and I have heard that Erin and baby are doing well. I will miss her frequent commentary on the blog, as I am sure she will be very busy with her new grandson.

Voting time again...

Thanks to Cousin Judy, one of my regular, loyal readers (who will be a Grandma any day I hear!) I found out that Baby Gap now sells crib bedding. See below for a few I like there and on Pottery Barn Kids (PBK). Check them out and let me know in the comments section which ones you like.

1. Baby Gap: Safari
2. Baby Gap: Forest Friends
3. Baby Gap: Barnyard
4. PBK: A to Z
5. PBK: Twinkle Twinkle
6. PBK: Farmyard Friends

Feel free to vote for more than one.

P.S. Don't torture yourself by looking at the girl specific bedding. It is TOO cute.

P.P.S. I have heard that I have a few readers outside of the Grandmas. Feel free to weigh in on topics, I don't mind! Don't be shy!

Scenes from the wedding

22 weeks, 27 weeks, 35 weeks

The girls and the beautiful bride

What a handsome bunch

Caught in the act

Today's Appointment

Today's OB checkup was uneventful. Blood pressure is fine (120/70), baby's heartrate is fine (140), fundal height on target (28 cm), and I lost three pounds since my last appointment. He questioned me about that, but I think my weight was not accurate at the last appt (I had just eaten lunch and I normally have appointments in the morning.) So, I am up 11 pounds overall. He also recommended that I try liquid Maalox before and after every meal to help with the throwing up. It is worth a try, although it has been unsuccessful so far today!

He was also the third doctor I have met in the rotation there, and he seems very nice. So, I would be happy with any of the three doing the delivery at this point. That is all to report.

What is happening during Week 29

The baby now weighs about 2.7 lbs (1.2kg), measures about 10.4 inches (26cm) from crown to rump, and is around 16.7 inches (42cm) long. He is plumper and rounder, and his head and body are beginning to be in proportion.
The baby now uses all of his senses. He can see, taste, recognize touch and the sound of your voice.
During the last trimester, the baby will receive antibodies from you through your placenta that will provide immunity from many diseases.

28 Weeks

Wow...28 weeks today. 7 months, and officially in the third trimester. In some respects, this whole experience is going very quickly and in others it seems like forever. I really can't believe we have made it this far, and I don't want to wish it away. Many people have mentioned to me how much they enjoyed being pregnant and missed it when it was over. It really is a bonding experience with so many people; they love sharing their memories and experiences and I enjoy hearing about them. Also, I would imagine that it is a lot easier to take care of a baby in uterero then when it is out in the world!

So, other than the stomach ailments and the whole hellish months getting here, I have to say the experience has been quite enjoyable. Luckily, I have not suffered the aches and pains that so many other people have complained of and am still sleeping well.

I haven't posted the "What is happening during Week xx" recently that I receive on line, so I will bore you with one now. I personally find it very interesting to know about the developmental milestones.