Baby Corn Christmas

Seeing Jen today reminded me that I had neglected to share this week's Baby Julianna size descriptor:

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Had a nice low key Christmas -- talked to Stephanie on the phone while I opened my gifts from her -- love the framed photo of her and the K's, my Maxine desk calendar, the ornaments, and Token's coat (with hood) is too cute. She's having a fun Christmas in southern Kansas at the K's parents' house before they head to the K's sister's house in northern Kansas.

Today, Mike and Jen came over the coast range for a visit and to celebrate but the weather was terrible. They had chunky rain (a snow/rain/ice mix) coming over the Wilson River summit and there was a ferocious hailstorm here just as they arrived. We decided it would be a short visit so they could get back over the pass before the snow levels fell. The summit is 1,500 ft and snow levels were predicted to be down to 1,000 ft by mid to late afternoon.

We had a wonderful visit in a short amount of time. Got to rub Jen's belly (so much bigger) and poke at Baby Julianna Corn trying to get her to kick back at me but to no avail. Jen and Mike got me the cutest bird feeder, a pair of Rachel Ray silicon large spoons that are notched so ya can hook them on the pot rim (eliminating having to use a spoon holder next to the stove), and a way cool weather station (with wind gauge!) and I've been putting batteries in the various components and reading the set up manual. My old weather station died earlier this year and I've been having to rely on online sites for temperatures. My old station was also a gift from Jen many years ago when I was still at the cabin.

No picture up top because there has been nothing but gray drippy skies -- and because I forking forgot to take pictures while Jen and Mike were here. Doh!