Hi! Well, today I am 38 weeks pregnant. I have a couple updates for you regarding two different doctors appointments we had. But first, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year since today is New Year's Eve. I pray that 2014 will be a blessed year for you and your best year yet!
Our pastor challenged us to look back on 2013 and forget what lies behind (or forget the things that strip us from our joy because we keep thinking about it over and over in our head...) and look toward what is ahead (looking forward to the blessings God will give us this new year). So I want to challenge you to do that as well.
Philippians 3:13-14: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of
it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Mommy Update:
The last couple of days I have been pretty sore in my hips and pelvic region. I know this is because she is low and it's putting pressure on my joints and this is all part of the last weeks of pregnancy so I try not to complain....but it is pretty uncomfortable! But so worth it! I am so ready to meet Eliana and see what she looks like. I can't wait to see her chubby cheeks and her little toes and just gaze upon the miracle that God has blessed us with.
We had an ultrasound last week on Dec 26th. They estimated that she is about 7 1/2lbs and if I go the full 40 weeks that she will be a little over 9lbs. So, because of that, the specialist is recommending that they induce labor between week 39 and 40. This is not something I want since I prefer that she comes naturally. So we are praying about this and seeking direction from God as to what we should do. Also, we are praying that she just comes naturally before week 39 so we don't have to even worry about making the decision. I started doing some natural things that can get labor going (walking, sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing, etc.) so I am hoping that will help as well.
Then, on Dec 28th we had our weekly checkup with our doctor. He checked me and said that I am still 1cm dilated. But, I am also 25% effaced now as well. So things are progressing! Hopefully the walking (and gravity) will help progress it even more.
I am having more braxton hicks contractions as well so I know that things are going as they should. I just need to be patient and trust the God has everything under control. :-)
Baby Update:
As I mentioned before, she is about 7 1/2lbs right now. So she is growing and is healthy. Also, the long bones in her arms and legs have hardened and her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Her grasp reflex is very strong now and she is often grasping the umbilical cord or curling her hands into little balls.
She's been moving/adjusting alot everyday. Sometimes she stretches her leg out and my stomach bulges out in one spot...it is so funny to watch! I know I will miss these movements I feel from her after she is born since it's something special we share right now. But, having her with us will be even better!
Well, that is all for this week! Hopefully next week I will be able to announce her birth! ha ha! We shall see...
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
37 Weeks -- I am officially considered 'early term'!!
Wow, 37 weeks today! This is such a relief knowing that if she is born now, that there is minimal chance of any health issues due to being born early. I can't believe we are here...that any day she can arrive! She is such a blessing and a gift from God and everyday this is becoming more real to me.
Mommy Update:
I am feeling so good for being 37 weeks pregnant. I know many women complain that they are ready for the baby to come by now because they are so uncomfortable, but I really don't feel uncomfortable. I mean, sure, I can't tie my shoes that well...or put on socks that easily...and I am up 3-4 times a night to use the restroom...but all-in-all, I feel really good. I am still in awe of how it feels when she moves around and adjusts herself. I have noticed that she is the most active now first thing in the morning and late in the evening. I am really interested to see if that will be her awake schedule in the first few days/weeks of life.
My last weekly checkup was on last Friday. My doctor did an internal exam to check for dilation and said that I was 1cm dilated, but hadn't started any effacement yet. He said I most likely will not make it to my due date (1/14/14) and the question is whether she will be a tax write off or not! I am not having any signs of labor yet, but I just have a feeling she will be coming either on Dec 30/31st or the first few days in January. Obviously, I could be completely wrong! Only God knows when she will be entering the world. I know I can't wait to see her beautiful face and touch her little hands and toes. It's going to be so hard to share her with others...but I will do my best!
So, I am going to let you in on the name we chose for her since my husband posted it on Facebook and he's the one who wanted to wait it out. :-) I wanted a name that meant something, particularly one that meant what a blessing from God she is and to describe the fact that we have waited and prayed for her for 10 years. To make a long story short, I found a Hebrew name that means "God answered my prayer". I saw the meaning and I was instantly floored! I was amazed that God led me to this name...and it's beautiful, just like she is. So...her name is...
Baby Update:
There isn't much more to update on Eliana since now her main goal is to put on more fat and gain weight. She is fully developed now and if she were born today she would be fine. She is most likely about 6 1/2 pounds and around 19 inches long. The lanugo hair that has covered her body until now is being shed and replaced by short, fine hairs called "vellus hairs" (more commonly known as "peach fuzz"). Her ears are fully developed. Since noises easily penetrate the womb at this stage in pregnancy, we may notice that loud noises startle your her.
We have an ultrasound on Thursday. I am excited for that. I know she is in the head down position, but I am anxious to know if her head is engaged and if she is occiput posterior or anterior. Also, I can't wait to see what their educated guess is for her weight. :-)
Well, tomorrow is Christmas! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to enjoy quality time with their family. Have a wonderful week! I will update again next week...unless she comes before then! :-)
+(1).jpg)
Mommy Update:
I am feeling so good for being 37 weeks pregnant. I know many women complain that they are ready for the baby to come by now because they are so uncomfortable, but I really don't feel uncomfortable. I mean, sure, I can't tie my shoes that well...or put on socks that easily...and I am up 3-4 times a night to use the restroom...but all-in-all, I feel really good. I am still in awe of how it feels when she moves around and adjusts herself. I have noticed that she is the most active now first thing in the morning and late in the evening. I am really interested to see if that will be her awake schedule in the first few days/weeks of life.
My last weekly checkup was on last Friday. My doctor did an internal exam to check for dilation and said that I was 1cm dilated, but hadn't started any effacement yet. He said I most likely will not make it to my due date (1/14/14) and the question is whether she will be a tax write off or not! I am not having any signs of labor yet, but I just have a feeling she will be coming either on Dec 30/31st or the first few days in January. Obviously, I could be completely wrong! Only God knows when she will be entering the world. I know I can't wait to see her beautiful face and touch her little hands and toes. It's going to be so hard to share her with others...but I will do my best!
So, I am going to let you in on the name we chose for her since my husband posted it on Facebook and he's the one who wanted to wait it out. :-) I wanted a name that meant something, particularly one that meant what a blessing from God she is and to describe the fact that we have waited and prayed for her for 10 years. To make a long story short, I found a Hebrew name that means "God answered my prayer". I saw the meaning and I was instantly floored! I was amazed that God led me to this name...and it's beautiful, just like she is. So...her name is...
It is pronounced "el-ee-AH-nah". I can't wait to meet our little Eliana and welcome her into our family.
Baby Update:
There isn't much more to update on Eliana since now her main goal is to put on more fat and gain weight. She is fully developed now and if she were born today she would be fine. She is most likely about 6 1/2 pounds and around 19 inches long. The lanugo hair that has covered her body until now is being shed and replaced by short, fine hairs called "vellus hairs" (more commonly known as "peach fuzz"). Her ears are fully developed. Since noises easily penetrate the womb at this stage in pregnancy, we may notice that loud noises startle your her.
We have an ultrasound on Thursday. I am excited for that. I know she is in the head down position, but I am anxious to know if her head is engaged and if she is occiput posterior or anterior. Also, I can't wait to see what their educated guess is for her weight. :-)
Well, tomorrow is Christmas! I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and is able to enjoy quality time with their family. Have a wonderful week! I will update again next week...unless she comes before then! :-)
+(1).jpg)
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
36 Weeks / 9 Months!! Only 4 more weeks to go!
Wow! We are at week 36 now, which means I am 9 months pregnant! We are on the final stretch now...only 4 more weeks if she holds out until then! I have a feeling she may come a little earlier, but that could just be me wanting to see her so badly! Ha! This last weekend I did get my hospital bag packed and I packed her diaper bag as well. So I think we are as ready as we can be for her arrival.
Mommy Update:
This week my boss let me start working from home until she is born. I am so thankful for this since it allows me to rest a little more since I don't have to commute an hour to and from work now. So I have some extra time to sleep in the morning and I don't have to worry about walking to work with the weather. It's really a blessing and it was just in time because walking for me right now has become a little difficult! My pelvic area and hips are hurting because they are stretching out, preparing for birth. It takes a little while to get moving after I stand up and I am moving pretty slow! But, other than that, I am feeling great!
We had our normal doctors appointment on Saturday. She is in the head down position now and very low according to the doctor. So that explains why it is harder for me to walk (and bend over to tie my shoes for that matter)! The doctor was very impressed with how well the exam went (meaning how low she is and how I am progressing) and said it at least three times. He just couldn't believe how well everything was when it is my first pregnancy. So that is good news! I think that is why I have a feeling she may come earlier than expected.
When he took my blood pressure, my diastolic (lower) number was high. It was 95 when it should be below 90. So he sent me over to the Labor & Delivery section of the hospital to be monitored just to make sure that it would decrease over the hour, which it did. So they released me and all is good.
Baby Update:
As I stated before, she is head down now...which makes me very happy! She is moving around still, but instead of kicks, it's more of a rolling motion that I feel.
I am guessing she is a little over 6lbs now since she was pushing 6lbs a couple weeks ago. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. She swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, that will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, she will be considered "early term." (Full-term is 39 to 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term, 41 weeks is late term, and those born after 42 are post-term.)
Last week a family friend took some pictures of us. So here's a sneak peak. We still want to do some edits on them, but I wanted to at least share a few :-) Have a blessed week!
Mommy Update:
This week my boss let me start working from home until she is born. I am so thankful for this since it allows me to rest a little more since I don't have to commute an hour to and from work now. So I have some extra time to sleep in the morning and I don't have to worry about walking to work with the weather. It's really a blessing and it was just in time because walking for me right now has become a little difficult! My pelvic area and hips are hurting because they are stretching out, preparing for birth. It takes a little while to get moving after I stand up and I am moving pretty slow! But, other than that, I am feeling great!
We had our normal doctors appointment on Saturday. She is in the head down position now and very low according to the doctor. So that explains why it is harder for me to walk (and bend over to tie my shoes for that matter)! The doctor was very impressed with how well the exam went (meaning how low she is and how I am progressing) and said it at least three times. He just couldn't believe how well everything was when it is my first pregnancy. So that is good news! I think that is why I have a feeling she may come earlier than expected.
When he took my blood pressure, my diastolic (lower) number was high. It was 95 when it should be below 90. So he sent me over to the Labor & Delivery section of the hospital to be monitored just to make sure that it would decrease over the hour, which it did. So they released me and all is good.
Baby Update:
As I stated before, she is head down now...which makes me very happy! She is moving around still, but instead of kicks, it's more of a rolling motion that I feel.
I am guessing she is a little over 6lbs now since she was pushing 6lbs a couple weeks ago. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. She swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, that will form the contents of her first bowel movement.
At the end of this week, she will be considered "early term." (Full-term is 39 to 40 weeks. Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term, 41 weeks is late term, and those born after 42 are post-term.)
Last week a family friend took some pictures of us. So here's a sneak peak. We still want to do some edits on them, but I wanted to at least share a few :-) Have a blessed week!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
35 Weeks -- Only 35 more days left until she is due!
We had an ultrasound on Wednesday, Dec. 4th. I was excited to see our daughter again and to see how much she has developed. She has chubby cheeks and legs. We got a really good face picture of her and you can see her chubby cheek! So adorable!
We were able to see her chest rise up and down as she practiced her breathing. Her heart beat was still strong and beating at about 140 beats per minute. I think she has my feet! Her big toe looks to be shorter than the toe beside it so that would be my foot, not her daddy's :-) The doctor said that she was about 5lbs 14oz (nearly 6lbs already!). Her head and stomach growth ratio was 1 to 1 which is what they look for and she was in the 61 percentile for size. They said they start to worry if babies are over 90% because that means they are growing too big due to gestational diabetes. So she is perfect! He said that by all the stats they took he wouldn't even guess that I have gestational diabetes. So that was good to hear.She is laying sideways and hasn't moved to the head down position yet. I have to admit that her position worried me a little bit because if she stays that way then I would most definitely have to get a c-section. But, after talking to the doctor, he showed me that she had plenty of room to move into position and nothing was blocking her. She's just cozy right now. He also showed me the method he'd use to manually move her if she doesn't move within the next 3 weeks. He told me not to worry...we have time for her to move. So, after talking with him I felt much better. We have another ultrasound scheduled for December 26th...by then I will be considered full term at 37 weeks!
Also, last night we attended a breast feeding class. I'm so glad I signed up for it. I actually learned a lot and feel more confident now that I know what to do and signs to look for. Plus, they have lactation nurses on staff from 7am - 3am every day so I can always call for help, which is nice.
Mommy Update:
This last week I have felt joy. I have been in the Word and praying daily so my spirit is full. The anxiety I was feeling the weeks before have subsided because of this. So, spiritually, I feel so much better. Physically, however, I am kind of sore. My right hip is bothering me every now and then and I know it is just because my ligaments are loosening and preparing for child birth. So, I just need to continue to take it easy and move slowly. Also, I have experienced more braxton hicks contractions. They are more frequent now, but they do not hurt.
This is my last week of commuting into work. It is a surreal feeling since I have been commuting for 8 years! My boss is allowing me to work from home starting next week until our baby is born. This is a huge blessing to me. Because now I don't have to battle the Chicago winter weather and other commuters (who are sometimes pushy). Instead, I can stay home, rest, and do my work comfortably from home. Another benefit is that I won't be exposed to co-workers and/or commuters that are sick so hopefully I will stay healthy during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
So, overall, I am feeling good and eagerly waiting for our daughters arrival!
Baby Update:
She has been moving like crazy this past week. I don't know if she's changed positions yet, but she is definitely moving and making herself comfortable. I love it though!
At 35 weeks, she is mostly developed and most of her effort is geared towards rapid weight gain and putting on that body fat. Her lungs are maturing and some research suggests that a baby girl's lungs mature more quickly than a boy's lungs. So if she were born this week, she would most likely have less trouble with breathing than a boy would. Also, her kidneys are fully developed and her liver can process some waste products.
Well, that is all for this week. I hope everyone has a blessed week and that you aren't getting too stressed about Christmas coming up. Remember, it's not about all the spending of money and buying gifts...it's about Jesus and celebrating His birth. Have a great week!
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
34 Weeks -- Only 6 more weeks to go!
Today I am 34 weeks pregnant! If I go full term, then we only have 6 weeks left! However, I know that technically she could decide to come at any time now. It seems there are several mommy's around me that have had their babies early and it has me wondering what is going on. Ha!
Mommy Update:
I feel good this week. It was so nice being able to spend time with my family in Indiana during Thanksgiving weekend. It was surreal knowing that that was the last visit home before our daughter is born. Next time I go home we will be hauling a lot of baby things and our baby! It's pretty crazy to think about. My dad, step-mom, and niece were all able to feel her move for the first time while I was home. So that was very special. She finally cooperated!
While I was home my mom and I went shopping for items that I needed for my hospital bag. I found pretty much everything that I needed, but have a few more items left. So I need to get that packed up and ready. My goal is to have that finished by this weekend.
Tomorrow we have an ultrasound to see how she is doing. I am excited to see what her measurements are...how long she is and an approximate weight. Plus, I am just excited to "see" her again. Now that I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, I'm not sure if there will be any differences in the ultrasound or if they will be checking different things than they normally did. My guess is that they are more concerned about her weight and size and if she is larger than average. I am also excited to find out what position she is in. I hope she is head down and occiput anterior since that is the ideal position for natural childbirth. So, we will find that all out tomorrow!
Baby Update:
This past week she has been active some days and not so active on the others. The non-active days sometimes get me worried, but I just have to hand that worry over to God. Those days I normally take the time to count her kicks after dinner and make sure I get 10 kicks within a 2 hour time frame. The longest it took her to give me 10 kicks has been 16 minutes. So she is just fine. When she does move, it feel so different. Now, I feel more of a rolling sensation since her leg, foot, knee, hand or elbow is rubbing against the side of my uterus! When she stops, I am able to feel the hardness of her body through my stomach and I'll put slight pressure there and then she'll move again. Ha! I know, I shouldn't bother her...but it's hard not too.
According to the websites I look at, she should weigh 4 1/2 to 5 lbs and may be as long as 18 inches (about the size of a cantaloupe)! Her fat layers (which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born) are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. Her digestive system is mature now. If she were born this week, she would be able to digest food. The digestive enzymes in her gut are now functional. By now, she most likely has settled into her birth position.
Well, that is all for this week. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Until next week...be blessed!
Mommy Update:
I feel good this week. It was so nice being able to spend time with my family in Indiana during Thanksgiving weekend. It was surreal knowing that that was the last visit home before our daughter is born. Next time I go home we will be hauling a lot of baby things and our baby! It's pretty crazy to think about. My dad, step-mom, and niece were all able to feel her move for the first time while I was home. So that was very special. She finally cooperated!
While I was home my mom and I went shopping for items that I needed for my hospital bag. I found pretty much everything that I needed, but have a few more items left. So I need to get that packed up and ready. My goal is to have that finished by this weekend.
Tomorrow we have an ultrasound to see how she is doing. I am excited to see what her measurements are...how long she is and an approximate weight. Plus, I am just excited to "see" her again. Now that I have been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, I'm not sure if there will be any differences in the ultrasound or if they will be checking different things than they normally did. My guess is that they are more concerned about her weight and size and if she is larger than average. I am also excited to find out what position she is in. I hope she is head down and occiput anterior since that is the ideal position for natural childbirth. So, we will find that all out tomorrow!
Baby Update:
This past week she has been active some days and not so active on the others. The non-active days sometimes get me worried, but I just have to hand that worry over to God. Those days I normally take the time to count her kicks after dinner and make sure I get 10 kicks within a 2 hour time frame. The longest it took her to give me 10 kicks has been 16 minutes. So she is just fine. When she does move, it feel so different. Now, I feel more of a rolling sensation since her leg, foot, knee, hand or elbow is rubbing against the side of my uterus! When she stops, I am able to feel the hardness of her body through my stomach and I'll put slight pressure there and then she'll move again. Ha! I know, I shouldn't bother her...but it's hard not too.
According to the websites I look at, she should weigh 4 1/2 to 5 lbs and may be as long as 18 inches (about the size of a cantaloupe)! Her fat layers (which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born) are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. Her digestive system is mature now. If she were born this week, she would be able to digest food. The digestive enzymes in her gut are now functional. By now, she most likely has settled into her birth position.
Well, that is all for this week. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Until next week...be blessed!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
33 Weeks - Baby is about the size of a pineapple!
Today marks 33 weeks of my pregnancy. I can't believe how close to the end we are getting! I am so excited to meet our daughter! I keep wondering...what she will look like? How big will she be? Will she have hair? If so, how much and what color? What will her skin color be...darker like her dad's or more pale like mommy's? All the unknowns are so exciting to think about...
Mommy Update:
This week I am feeling very good. I saw the dietitian since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Every since I saw her, my glucose levels have been below the cutoff. So I feel good that I am able to control it will my diet only. Because of my diet changes, I did lose weight this week...about a half of a pound. So now my total weight gain so far is only 11.6 pounds. However, I know that she is gaining weight because my belly is still growing.
Also, I am feeling good emotionally. We finally have the nursery set up! Well, at least the important things are set up and ready to go. The only thing missing is a rug and a rocking chair! Last weekend I was able to wash all her clothes and blankets. Also, I washed most of the cloth diapers and prepared them for her. My friend Carol came over on Saturday and helped me organize her clothes and get everything put away in a good spot. Many thanks to her! So I feel that we are pretty much ready to welcome her into our home when the time comes. Granted, there are some things we still need to get, but we have the necessities taken care of for now!
We found a great pediatrician this last week as well. I went and had a consultation with her and absolutely knew she was the perfect fit. She is a more holistic type doctor that will try home remedies first before prescribing medications. Of course, if it is an emergency that only medication will fix, she will go straight to the medication. So I like that she has a good balance of natural healing and medicinal healing.
After Thanksgiving is over, I will need to focus on packing our hospital bag. I have the list ready, I just need to gather everything and put it in a bag. I feel like I have a really long list...but I figure I would rather be more prepared than not.
So, I feel like everything is falling into place! God is good (all the time!) and He's guiding every step we take through this.
Baby Update:
This past week she has been very active during the day and also in the evening. So her schedule is changing a bit. She get hiccups at least once every other day or so. She still hasn't given me an kicks that hurt yet...so she's being very nice to mommy already!
According to the websites I look at, she should weigh over 4lbs and may be as long as 17.2 inches (about the size of a pineapple)! Her brain is busy maturing and increasing in size. Parts of the brain are starting to function, including the auditory cortex (the area of the brain that's responsible for making sense of sounds), visual cortex (the region of the brain that processes visual information), and Broca's area (the part of the brain that's involved in speech and language processing).
Her fingernails might reach the tip of her fingers now, but they are still soft because of the amniotic fluid so she won't scratch her face. Her bones continue to harden and her nose is almost fully formed. The bridge has formed and she no longer has that "button nose" appearance. Her face is rounding out and she may be a bit chubby from here on out.
Also, she is making faces in the womb...smiling, sticking out her tonge, and making goofy expressions!
This week is Thanksgiving. I hope that all of you will be able to enjoy time with your family and reflect on what you are thankful for. I know for me, I am extremely thankful for this pregnancy (an answered prayer) and that our baby girl is healthy and growing strong. However, I am most thankful that Jesus came to this earth and died for my sins even though I do not deserve it...and since I have accepted this truth, I know that I will one day be in heaven with my savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for saving me!
Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Mommy Update:
This week I am feeling very good. I saw the dietitian since I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Every since I saw her, my glucose levels have been below the cutoff. So I feel good that I am able to control it will my diet only. Because of my diet changes, I did lose weight this week...about a half of a pound. So now my total weight gain so far is only 11.6 pounds. However, I know that she is gaining weight because my belly is still growing.
Also, I am feeling good emotionally. We finally have the nursery set up! Well, at least the important things are set up and ready to go. The only thing missing is a rug and a rocking chair! Last weekend I was able to wash all her clothes and blankets. Also, I washed most of the cloth diapers and prepared them for her. My friend Carol came over on Saturday and helped me organize her clothes and get everything put away in a good spot. Many thanks to her! So I feel that we are pretty much ready to welcome her into our home when the time comes. Granted, there are some things we still need to get, but we have the necessities taken care of for now!We found a great pediatrician this last week as well. I went and had a consultation with her and absolutely knew she was the perfect fit. She is a more holistic type doctor that will try home remedies first before prescribing medications. Of course, if it is an emergency that only medication will fix, she will go straight to the medication. So I like that she has a good balance of natural healing and medicinal healing.
After Thanksgiving is over, I will need to focus on packing our hospital bag. I have the list ready, I just need to gather everything and put it in a bag. I feel like I have a really long list...but I figure I would rather be more prepared than not.
So, I feel like everything is falling into place! God is good (all the time!) and He's guiding every step we take through this.
Baby Update:
This past week she has been very active during the day and also in the evening. So her schedule is changing a bit. She get hiccups at least once every other day or so. She still hasn't given me an kicks that hurt yet...so she's being very nice to mommy already!
According to the websites I look at, she should weigh over 4lbs and may be as long as 17.2 inches (about the size of a pineapple)! Her brain is busy maturing and increasing in size. Parts of the brain are starting to function, including the auditory cortex (the area of the brain that's responsible for making sense of sounds), visual cortex (the region of the brain that processes visual information), and Broca's area (the part of the brain that's involved in speech and language processing).
Her fingernails might reach the tip of her fingers now, but they are still soft because of the amniotic fluid so she won't scratch her face. Her bones continue to harden and her nose is almost fully formed. The bridge has formed and she no longer has that "button nose" appearance. Her face is rounding out and she may be a bit chubby from here on out.
Also, she is making faces in the womb...smiling, sticking out her tonge, and making goofy expressions!
This week is Thanksgiving. I hope that all of you will be able to enjoy time with your family and reflect on what you are thankful for. I know for me, I am extremely thankful for this pregnancy (an answered prayer) and that our baby girl is healthy and growing strong. However, I am most thankful that Jesus came to this earth and died for my sins even though I do not deserve it...and since I have accepted this truth, I know that I will one day be in heaven with my savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you Jesus for saving me!
Psalm 95:2-3
Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
32 Weeks (8 Months Pregnant!)
Wow! Today I am 32 weeks along...or 8 months pregnant! Time is going by so quick. I've had all my showers and feel so blessed by the generosity everyone has shown me in welcoming our daughter to this world. We pretty much have everything we need now, minus a few things. We are very blessed. :-)
Mommy Update:
So, I have been officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GD). Some of my blood glucose levels were high so my doctor wants to be cautious and continue monitoring my levels and the baby. I saw the dietitian yesterday and she gave me some good advise on changing a few things in my diet. She also explained to me about insulin and glucose and how it affect me and the baby. So the main thing I need to change is increasing my non-starchy vegetable servings per day and making sure each meal is balanced with protein, veggies, and carbs. I feel more confident in the choices I need to make now so I'm not feeling as devastated as I did at first when diagnosed with this. I also know that I will be able to control it with diet and some increase in activity throughout the day.
So, last week I was feeling a little overwhelmed since we didn't have anything prepared for our daughter. Also, I was overwhelmed thinking about finances, work, how quick time was moving....it was all coming to a head. But, thank God I have family, friends, and a husband that prayed me through it and I do feel better this week. I know I can trust God in everything and He hasn't let us down yet so I need to continually remind myself of that.
Also, I know I am feeling better because on Saturday and Sunday we finally cleared her room out and set up the crib and the dresser. Thanks to our cousin (Joel) and the boys, we were able to get everything accomplished fairly quickly. The only thing left is to get the armoire put together which will be happening this weekend. Also, yesterday I received the cloth diaper prefolds and covers that I ordered from Green Mountain Diapers. The covers are so adorable! I can't wait to see her in them!
Baby Update:
So, this week she weighs around 3.7 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long from head to heel. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. Also, now she is able to smile and stick her tongue out!
She has been moving very well this past week. A new thing I noticed is more of a rolling sensation of her moving a leg or foot across my uterus. When she stops, I will touch her there and then she will move it again. It's a fun little game I play! It amazes me that when I am able to touch where she is that I am actually feeling her...it blows my mind! Hopefully I am not getting on her nerves! Ha!
So, that is all for this weeks update. I thank you, as always, for your prayers and support. Take care!
- Lisa
Mommy Update:
 |
| 32 Weeks |
So, last week I was feeling a little overwhelmed since we didn't have anything prepared for our daughter. Also, I was overwhelmed thinking about finances, work, how quick time was moving....it was all coming to a head. But, thank God I have family, friends, and a husband that prayed me through it and I do feel better this week. I know I can trust God in everything and He hasn't let us down yet so I need to continually remind myself of that.
Also, I know I am feeling better because on Saturday and Sunday we finally cleared her room out and set up the crib and the dresser. Thanks to our cousin (Joel) and the boys, we were able to get everything accomplished fairly quickly. The only thing left is to get the armoire put together which will be happening this weekend. Also, yesterday I received the cloth diaper prefolds and covers that I ordered from Green Mountain Diapers. The covers are so adorable! I can't wait to see her in them! So, this week she weighs around 3.7 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long from head to heel. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. Also, now she is able to smile and stick her tongue out!
She has been moving very well this past week. A new thing I noticed is more of a rolling sensation of her moving a leg or foot across my uterus. When she stops, I will touch her there and then she will move it again. It's a fun little game I play! It amazes me that when I am able to touch where she is that I am actually feeling her...it blows my mind! Hopefully I am not getting on her nerves! Ha!
So, that is all for this weeks update. I thank you, as always, for your prayers and support. Take care!
- Lisa
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
31 weeks -- Baby girl is moving ALOT!
Welcome to week 31! I know I say this every time, but I can't believe how fast time is flying. We are in single digits now..only 9 weeks left! That is...if she holds out until 40 weeks!
Mommy Update:
I am feeling pretty good. I am still monitoring my glucose levels since I had a couple of higher levels. At first the doctor wanted me to see a dietitian and was going to diagnose me with gestational diabetes...however, he changed his mind since most of my numbers are good. He decided he wanted me to continue monitoring my levels for another week and I will see him on Thursday so he can determine what to do. I think he is being extra cautious because he knows I want to have a natural birth and if I do have gestational diabetes, then I need to control what I'm eating so our baby girl doesn't get too large. At the same time, he doesn't want me to stress out about it because if I do have gestational diabetes, then my levels are actually very good since they are just above normal levels only a few times during the week. The good thing about all of this is that I am able to see what foods affect my glucose levels and what foods my body responds well too. So, in the long run, maybe this will be good for my overall health. At least, that is the outlook I choose to take.
I am feeling very blessed by my friends and family as well. I had another shower over the weekend and received so many gifts for our daughter. I am so blessed by their generosity and thoughtfulness. Now, we just need to get the room set up so we can put everything away. We plan to start doing that this weekend.
Lastly, I realized that I have forgot to give an update on my weight gain in the last few posts. So, right now, my total weight gain so far since being pregnant is 13.4lbs. This really surprises me since I am really showing (at least in my opinion). So it must all be baby weight since I've been eating fairly healthy this whole pregnancy. I also praise God for this because one of my fears was that I would use pregnancy as an excuse to eat more and load up on sweets...but it's actually been the complete opposite. I crave healthier foods instead of sweets...so that's a good thing!
Baby Update:
She most likely measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3 1/3 pounds (about the size of a coconut) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up since layers of fat are accumulating underneath her skin. In the next few weeks, her arms, legs, and body will start to fill out, and her skin will become less wrinkly.
The last few days she has been moving like crazy! And it's weird because now, instead of just feeling her on one side, I now feel her movements on both sides of my stomach sometimes. I just wish I knew what she was doing in there sometimes! It feels like she's stretching out..ha ha! Jesús said she's probably dancing and "raising the roof"...Ha! Either way...she's moving and making herself nice and cozy.
Well, that is all for now. Thank you again for all your prayers. Take care and God bless!
-Lisa
Mommy Update:
I am feeling pretty good. I am still monitoring my glucose levels since I had a couple of higher levels. At first the doctor wanted me to see a dietitian and was going to diagnose me with gestational diabetes...however, he changed his mind since most of my numbers are good. He decided he wanted me to continue monitoring my levels for another week and I will see him on Thursday so he can determine what to do. I think he is being extra cautious because he knows I want to have a natural birth and if I do have gestational diabetes, then I need to control what I'm eating so our baby girl doesn't get too large. At the same time, he doesn't want me to stress out about it because if I do have gestational diabetes, then my levels are actually very good since they are just above normal levels only a few times during the week. The good thing about all of this is that I am able to see what foods affect my glucose levels and what foods my body responds well too. So, in the long run, maybe this will be good for my overall health. At least, that is the outlook I choose to take.
I am feeling very blessed by my friends and family as well. I had another shower over the weekend and received so many gifts for our daughter. I am so blessed by their generosity and thoughtfulness. Now, we just need to get the room set up so we can put everything away. We plan to start doing that this weekend.
Lastly, I realized that I have forgot to give an update on my weight gain in the last few posts. So, right now, my total weight gain so far since being pregnant is 13.4lbs. This really surprises me since I am really showing (at least in my opinion). So it must all be baby weight since I've been eating fairly healthy this whole pregnancy. I also praise God for this because one of my fears was that I would use pregnancy as an excuse to eat more and load up on sweets...but it's actually been the complete opposite. I crave healthier foods instead of sweets...so that's a good thing!
Baby Update:
She most likely measures over 16 inches long. She weighs about 3 1/3 pounds (about the size of a coconut) and is heading into a growth spurt. She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump up since layers of fat are accumulating underneath her skin. In the next few weeks, her arms, legs, and body will start to fill out, and her skin will become less wrinkly.
The last few days she has been moving like crazy! And it's weird because now, instead of just feeling her on one side, I now feel her movements on both sides of my stomach sometimes. I just wish I knew what she was doing in there sometimes! It feels like she's stretching out..ha ha! Jesús said she's probably dancing and "raising the roof"...Ha! Either way...she's moving and making herself nice and cozy.
Well, that is all for now. Thank you again for all your prayers. Take care and God bless!
-Lisa
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
30 weeks -- On the home stretch!
Wow! Today I am 30 weeks pregnant! Only ten more weeks to go! That is so crazy to think about...we are getting so close!
Mommy Update:
So, I had my 3 hour glucose tolerance test last Thursday. My doctor called and told me that there are two standards that are highly controversial. One standard is not so strict, where the other is strict. He said he normally goes by the stricter standard just to be safe. So...with the "not so strict" standard, I do not have gestational diabetes. However, with the strict standard I am on the borderline of having it. So, to be safe, he asked me to monitor my blood glucose levels for a week. So I have to keep track of my numbers before I eat breakfast and then again 2 hours after each meal of the day (breakfast, lunch, & dinner). So, four times a day. So far, my numbers are good. So I am betting on Thursday when I see him that he will not diagnose me with gestational diabetes. Praise God!
I had my first baby shower on Sunday! So now that I have little girl clothes, bottles, etc. at home it feels more real that she is actually going to be here soon! When I got home, Jesús looked at all the cute clothes and he said "We're having a girl!". Ha! So I think it made it more real to him too. I have another shower this weekend (back home in Indiana) and am looking forward to that as well.
Overall, I am feeling really good. I still have numbing in my hands, but I will not complain since this pregancy has been so easy so far. I think I have been experiencing some braxton hicks contractions as well. It doesn't hurt at all and they are not intense...it just feels like tightening pressure on my lower abdomen.
I stated last week that I was nervous that we didn't have anything set up for her nursery yet. Well, thank goodness, I ended up finding a dresser and an armoire that I really like and it's at IKEA. So we will be picking those up within the next week or so and will be setting her room up then! Yippee!
Baby Update:
This week baby is about 15.7 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds (probably a little more since she was 3 pounds a couple weeks ago!). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will shrink as she gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen.
The bridge of her "button" nose is more apparent now than in earlier weeks. The tip of your her nose still looks upturned, but as the pregnancy continues, her face will lengthen and the tip of the nose will make a downward tilt.
The nerve cells in her brain continue to mature this week. The neurons of the brain's cortex (the area of the brain that controls memory, coordinated movement, vision, emotion, and thought processes) start to develop into six distinct layers, each with specific functions.
She is poking and prodding alot lately....making herself known! Nothing is hurting yet, but she has given me a couple kicks that have shocked me because they were so strong and unexpected. I just laugh and talk back to her and ask if she's comfortable now. :-)
So that's my 30 week update...thank you again for all your encouragement and your prayers! Love you all...
-Lisa
Mommy Update:
So, I had my 3 hour glucose tolerance test last Thursday. My doctor called and told me that there are two standards that are highly controversial. One standard is not so strict, where the other is strict. He said he normally goes by the stricter standard just to be safe. So...with the "not so strict" standard, I do not have gestational diabetes. However, with the strict standard I am on the borderline of having it. So, to be safe, he asked me to monitor my blood glucose levels for a week. So I have to keep track of my numbers before I eat breakfast and then again 2 hours after each meal of the day (breakfast, lunch, & dinner). So, four times a day. So far, my numbers are good. So I am betting on Thursday when I see him that he will not diagnose me with gestational diabetes. Praise God!
I had my first baby shower on Sunday! So now that I have little girl clothes, bottles, etc. at home it feels more real that she is actually going to be here soon! When I got home, Jesús looked at all the cute clothes and he said "We're having a girl!". Ha! So I think it made it more real to him too. I have another shower this weekend (back home in Indiana) and am looking forward to that as well.
Overall, I am feeling really good. I still have numbing in my hands, but I will not complain since this pregancy has been so easy so far. I think I have been experiencing some braxton hicks contractions as well. It doesn't hurt at all and they are not intense...it just feels like tightening pressure on my lower abdomen.
I stated last week that I was nervous that we didn't have anything set up for her nursery yet. Well, thank goodness, I ended up finding a dresser and an armoire that I really like and it's at IKEA. So we will be picking those up within the next week or so and will be setting her room up then! Yippee!
Baby Update:
This week baby is about 15.7 inches long and weighs about 3 pounds (probably a little more since she was 3 pounds a couple weeks ago!). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will shrink as she gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen.
The bridge of her "button" nose is more apparent now than in earlier weeks. The tip of your her nose still looks upturned, but as the pregnancy continues, her face will lengthen and the tip of the nose will make a downward tilt.
The nerve cells in her brain continue to mature this week. The neurons of the brain's cortex (the area of the brain that controls memory, coordinated movement, vision, emotion, and thought processes) start to develop into six distinct layers, each with specific functions.
She is poking and prodding alot lately....making herself known! Nothing is hurting yet, but she has given me a couple kicks that have shocked me because they were so strong and unexpected. I just laugh and talk back to her and ask if she's comfortable now. :-)
So that's my 30 week update...thank you again for all your encouragement and your prayers! Love you all...
-Lisa
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
29 Weeks Pregnant -- Only 11 more weeks to go!
Can you believe it is almost November already? Wow, time sure does fly by! Today marks 29 weeks of pregnancy. It's been such a wonderful and easy pregnancy so far. God sure has blessed me with that.
Last week was a busy week...we finished up getting our bathroom re-done the day that Jesús' brother and his family came into town to visit. So we were busy cleaning and getting all the dust out of the house so it would be clean by the time they came. Then, we had a great time visiting with the family and spending time with them for the 4 days they were here. So now, I am a little tired and catching up on some rest. But it is all worth it. :-)
Mommy Update:
Last week, as you know, we had a 3D ultrasound done on Sunday. Well, on Wednesday, we had another ultrasound scheduled so that they could check to make sure my placenta was positioned well (which it is now) and also to check on baby. Everything checked out well, she is growing and doing well and looks completely healthy. Also, on Wednesday, I did the 28 week gestational diabetes (GD) test. My doctor called me back and told me my numbers were a little high, but not to worry. However, he wants me to take the 3-hour GD test just to confirm whether or not I have it. I am a little anxious about the outcome of the test, but am trusting God that whatever happens He will help me through it. So I take that test this Thursday morning...please pray that I will have good results and not be diagnosed with GD.
I had my normal checkup with the doctor last week as well. My blood pressure is good and everything else checked out well. I told him about the numbing in my hands and also the pain I have in my pelvic area and he said that this is all normal. Which I figured. :-) So, he said not to worry as long as when I rest the pain subsides a little...which it does.
Lastly, I am starting to get a little nervous that we don't have anything for our daughter yet...as far as furniture goes. Her room isn't set up at all...or cleared out yet. We are 11 weeks away! We need to get going on this. We do have the crib....but it's in Indiana. So we will pick that up in November sometime. I just need to get a dresser or two...or maybe an armoire. I don't want to spend alot of money on it so I'm checking craigslist every day! So hopefully I will find something I like soon!
Baby Update:
So, at the ultrasound on Wednesday, the doctor told us that she was approximately 3 pounds 2 ounces! So she is larger than what the websites say is average...which is about 2 1/4 pounds. When I asked the doctor about that, she said that those websites are normally low on their averages. So we'll see...who knows how large she will get in the next 11 weeks! I just have a feeling that she's going to be a 9 pound baby...
So, right now, she is a little over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. Her sleep-wake cycle is now well developed, but she spends most of her time sleeping. She has started to develop REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, or the dreaming stage of sleep. (I wonder what they dream about??) From now until birth, she will be packing on the body fat and weight.
She is moving around like crazy now. I think since she is bigger I just feel more of her movement. I started counting kicks at night (since the doctor told me to start keeping track). I am supposed to feel at least 10 kicks within an hour. Well, I felt 10 kicks within 5 minutes each time! So she's a mover! Either that, or she already has that competitive spirit that mommy has (thanks to the Herring side of the family! ha!). Last night she was giving me combo punches...it was hilarious! None of them hurt yet...so I'm thankful for that. :-)
So...that is all for now. Please keep my in your prayers on Thursday morning. I will let you know the results in my next blog. Take care!!
Love
Lisa
Last week was a busy week...we finished up getting our bathroom re-done the day that Jesús' brother and his family came into town to visit. So we were busy cleaning and getting all the dust out of the house so it would be clean by the time they came. Then, we had a great time visiting with the family and spending time with them for the 4 days they were here. So now, I am a little tired and catching up on some rest. But it is all worth it. :-)
Mommy Update:
 |
| Week 29 Bump |
I had my normal checkup with the doctor last week as well. My blood pressure is good and everything else checked out well. I told him about the numbing in my hands and also the pain I have in my pelvic area and he said that this is all normal. Which I figured. :-) So, he said not to worry as long as when I rest the pain subsides a little...which it does.
Lastly, I am starting to get a little nervous that we don't have anything for our daughter yet...as far as furniture goes. Her room isn't set up at all...or cleared out yet. We are 11 weeks away! We need to get going on this. We do have the crib....but it's in Indiana. So we will pick that up in November sometime. I just need to get a dresser or two...or maybe an armoire. I don't want to spend alot of money on it so I'm checking craigslist every day! So hopefully I will find something I like soon!
Baby Update:
So, at the ultrasound on Wednesday, the doctor told us that she was approximately 3 pounds 2 ounces! So she is larger than what the websites say is average...which is about 2 1/4 pounds. When I asked the doctor about that, she said that those websites are normally low on their averages. So we'll see...who knows how large she will get in the next 11 weeks! I just have a feeling that she's going to be a 9 pound baby...
So, right now, she is a little over 15 inches long from head to heel. Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and her head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain. Her sleep-wake cycle is now well developed, but she spends most of her time sleeping. She has started to develop REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep, or the dreaming stage of sleep. (I wonder what they dream about??) From now until birth, she will be packing on the body fat and weight.
She is moving around like crazy now. I think since she is bigger I just feel more of her movement. I started counting kicks at night (since the doctor told me to start keeping track). I am supposed to feel at least 10 kicks within an hour. Well, I felt 10 kicks within 5 minutes each time! So she's a mover! Either that, or she already has that competitive spirit that mommy has (thanks to the Herring side of the family! ha!). Last night she was giving me combo punches...it was hilarious! None of them hurt yet...so I'm thankful for that. :-)
So...that is all for now. Please keep my in your prayers on Thursday morning. I will let you know the results in my next blog. Take care!!
Love
Lisa
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
28 Weeks (7 months) Pregnant Today!
Today marks the 7 month mark of my pregnancy. I can't believe I am this far along already! We had a 3D ultrasound on Sunday morning and I had a regular checkup yesterday (Monday). The 3D ultrasound was AMAZING! We were able to see what our little girl looks like and to me she looks like her daddy. The first thing I noticed was that she had daddy's nose and then after a few more minutes I noticed that her jawline and chin were like her daddy's. I can't wait to see her in real life and meet her!Mommy Update:
As I said above, I also had my regular checkup on Monday morning. Everything is good --
my blood pressure is good and her heart beat is still strong. Also, I was able to ask my doctor about the numbing that is happening in my hands (primarily my left hand) and the pain in my pelvic area and he said this was all normal. He suggested I wear the braces for carpal tunnel on my hands as that may help a little. Also, for the pelvic pain, he said as long as it gets better after resting (which it does) then it is completely normal. So, all if well with me. Tomorrow I will be taking the test for gestational diabetes (the 1-hour test) to make sure that I don't have it. Also, we are getting a second Level 2 ultrasound to make sure all is well with baby and my placenta. Overall, I still feel good, but I noticed I am walking a little slower now...and a little wobbly :-)Baby Update:
This week, she weighs about 2 1/4 pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. Her hair is growing longer, and her beautiful eyelashes and eyebrows are also growing longer and thicker. She can also blink her eyes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. I have been able to feel her movement more and more this past week since she is getting bigger and stronger.Well, that is all for this week. I hope you are enjoying these updates. Until next week....
Wishing you many blessings,
Lisa
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
27 Weeks -- I am in the 3rd trimester!!
So, today I am officially in the 3rd trimester! [At least, according to most calculations I am...there are some websites/doctors that calculate it differently.] So we are on the final journey of this pregnancy. I still can't believe I'm pregnant...God is so good!
Mommy Update:
I was able to go home to Indiana last weekend and see my family. That was a nice visit and they were excited to see me and my belly! Jesús had to stay back at home because we are getting our bathroom re-done and he wanted to be there in case any questions came up. So it was just me (and our little girl) visiting this time. I was able to find a couple new shirts at my favorite resale shop (The Revolving Closet) so I am happy about that! I hate paying full price for maternity clothing (actually, any clothing!) so I always love it when I find something there. Physically I am still feeling the same and overall I feel really good. :-) I weighed in today and I am up 4.8lbs from last weeks weigh in! The last weight gain like that was back in week 24. So total weight gain so far is 18.2 pounds.
Baby Update:
This week our little girl should weigh about 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She is waking and sleeping at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and maybe even sucking her fingers. Her brain is very active now since more brain tissue is developing. If I feel any rhythmic movements, then most likely it is her hiccuping! Her reproductive organs are now in their proper place and her ovaries contain all of the egg-producing follicles that they will ever make in her lifetime (this is amazing to me!).
It's funny because I was just telling my family that she has regular times of movement now. Normally I feel her move first thing in the morning when I wake up. Then again, I feel small movements right before lunchtime. Then, around 8-9pm she really starts moving! She gives me some big kicks in the evening. Then, like clockwork, I wake up at around 1am because I have to use the bathroom and she moves after that as well. So it's pretty cool that she is on a somewhat regular schedule now. I wonder how much that will change after she is born? I know it will have to change since she'll need to be fed more often...but I will be interested to see if she is more of a night person since she is more active in the evening....I guess we shall see!
Next week we have 2 ultrasounds scheduled. The first one is not with the hospital. It is a 4D ultrasound. I can't wait for that! The second one is another level 2 ultrasound to make sure all is well. So it's a busy week next week and we'll get to see our little girl twice :-) Yay! Have a good week!!
God bless,
Lisa
I was able to go home to Indiana last weekend and see my family. That was a nice visit and they were excited to see me and my belly! Jesús had to stay back at home because we are getting our bathroom re-done and he wanted to be there in case any questions came up. So it was just me (and our little girl) visiting this time. I was able to find a couple new shirts at my favorite resale shop (The Revolving Closet) so I am happy about that! I hate paying full price for maternity clothing (actually, any clothing!) so I always love it when I find something there. Physically I am still feeling the same and overall I feel really good. :-) I weighed in today and I am up 4.8lbs from last weeks weigh in! The last weight gain like that was back in week 24. So total weight gain so far is 18.2 pounds.
Baby Update:
This week our little girl should weigh about 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She is waking and sleeping at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and maybe even sucking her fingers. Her brain is very active now since more brain tissue is developing. If I feel any rhythmic movements, then most likely it is her hiccuping! Her reproductive organs are now in their proper place and her ovaries contain all of the egg-producing follicles that they will ever make in her lifetime (this is amazing to me!).
It's funny because I was just telling my family that she has regular times of movement now. Normally I feel her move first thing in the morning when I wake up. Then again, I feel small movements right before lunchtime. Then, around 8-9pm she really starts moving! She gives me some big kicks in the evening. Then, like clockwork, I wake up at around 1am because I have to use the bathroom and she moves after that as well. So it's pretty cool that she is on a somewhat regular schedule now. I wonder how much that will change after she is born? I know it will have to change since she'll need to be fed more often...but I will be interested to see if she is more of a night person since she is more active in the evening....I guess we shall see!
Next week we have 2 ultrasounds scheduled. The first one is not with the hospital. It is a 4D ultrasound. I can't wait for that! The second one is another level 2 ultrasound to make sure all is well. So it's a busy week next week and we'll get to see our little girl twice :-) Yay! Have a good week!!
God bless,
Lisa
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
26 Weeks -- Baby is the length of a scallion!
We are at week 26 already! Six and a half months pregnant...I can't believe it!
Last night we went on a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital. It was very informational and lasted about an hour. We saw the labor/birthing rooms, which are all private rooms. In the room there was the bed (of course), a chair that turns into a bed that can be used by Jesús if he needs rest (ha ha! I'm sorry, but I can't imagine him sleeping if I'm in pain...that is not him), the warming table/scale for baby, TV w/DVD player to help pass time by, a shower that can be used during labor (I
can have warm water streaming down on my back to help with pain), and I can request a squatting bar for the bed that will assist us during labor. Also, they have a whiteboard where I can put all my "requests" of how I want my labor/delivery to be. That way all the nurses see what my desires are. I can bring in my own music as well and have lights dimmed to make the environment more calming. However, honestly, my plan is to labor as long as I can at home before we go to the hospital. We have timed our drive to get there and it only takes 10-12 minutes to get there. So hopefully I won't have to be in the labor/delivery room for more than a few hours.
After delivery, she told us that they have a policy that they call "The Golden Hour". Where the baby is placed directly on mommy's abdomen/chest, skin-to-skin, for an hour so that baby and mommy can bond and also begin breastfeeding right away. It also is the best way to regulate baby's body temperature. This made me so happy! This is something I was going to request in my birthplan, but it eases my mind knowing that they already have this policy so they understand the importance of the skin-to-skin contact right after birth. During this time, it is uninterrupted time between mommy, daddy, and baby. Then after the Golden Hour, the baby is assigned a nurse that is called "Baby's First Friend" or BFF. The BFF will put the baby on the scale/warmer (which is located right next to mommy's bed) and take all the measurements and give her her first bath. During that time they will be cleaning me up and packing all of us up to transfer us to the mother/baby room which is a private room as well. So all in all, we will have about 2 hours before visitors can see our baby.
Once I am in the mother/baby room, then visitors can come in. However, they do have a time designated between 1-3pm where they request that visitors don't come because it is "nap time" for mommy and baby. It just gives mom's and dad's a break from visitors so that they can nap or bond with the baby without being interrupted by anyone, including nurses. They said for a normal delivery that we would be in that room for 2 nights and then will be discharged. Sometimes, if everything is good, they will discharge after only a one night stay at our request.
She also took us to see the Special Care Nursery for babies who are sick or might have fluid in their lungs. She explained that to us. Then she showed us where c-sections were performed and explained procedures concerning c-sections. She was able to show us where the regular nursery was, however, I wasn't able to look at any babies because they had the blinds closed for privacy issues. Bummer! :-)
Lastly, she explained the security measures that are taken to protect the baby. Jesús and I will both have wristbands that match the bands that are on each ankle of our baby. Also, our baby will have a magnetic band that will set off an alarm if the main door is open an
d our baby is too close to the door or is taken outside of the maternity area. If that happens, all elevators will go to the 3rd floor (maternity area) and be stuck there so no one can leave. So, it is pretty secure.
So, all in all, I feel very good about having my delivery at Sherman. Also, I feel so relieved to know that our baby girl will be with us as all times unless we request she be taken to the nursery (which is highly unlikely to happen!)
Now, for the updates:
Mommy Update:
I still feel good, even though I do still have ligament/joint pain. Also, my left hand is bothering me a bit because it keeps getting numb if I have my arm bent for too long or if I am laying down and it is above my head (if that makes sense). I know this is normal because the blood isn't able to get down to my hands which is causing the numbing effect. I think it is carpal tunnel syndrome which can happen to women who are pregnant, but normally the symptoms go away after birth. So, that is what I am hoping! I am just massaging my forearms, wrists and palms to try to lengthen and loosen any tight muscles and tendons and that has helped alleviate most of the numbness. Other than that...all seems to be good. I am still doing my nightly exercises (squatting, pelvic tilts, and kegals) to help prepare for delivery...so I feel confident I will be ready!
Baby Update:
The network of nerves in baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both mommy and daddy's voice as we chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. She's continuing to put on baby fat and now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the size of a scallion) from head to heel. Her face is getting rounder and fatter, as her fat reserves are giving her face a more rounded appearance. By now she can make coordinated hand and feet movements. She frequently brings her hands and feet to her mouth. If born early, she now has a 60 percent chance of surviving!
Well, that is all for this week. I know this was a long post, but I had to tell you about the birth center tour. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
God bless,
Lisa
Last night we went on a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital. It was very informational and lasted about an hour. We saw the labor/birthing rooms, which are all private rooms. In the room there was the bed (of course), a chair that turns into a bed that can be used by Jesús if he needs rest (ha ha! I'm sorry, but I can't imagine him sleeping if I'm in pain...that is not him), the warming table/scale for baby, TV w/DVD player to help pass time by, a shower that can be used during labor (I
can have warm water streaming down on my back to help with pain), and I can request a squatting bar for the bed that will assist us during labor. Also, they have a whiteboard where I can put all my "requests" of how I want my labor/delivery to be. That way all the nurses see what my desires are. I can bring in my own music as well and have lights dimmed to make the environment more calming. However, honestly, my plan is to labor as long as I can at home before we go to the hospital. We have timed our drive to get there and it only takes 10-12 minutes to get there. So hopefully I won't have to be in the labor/delivery room for more than a few hours.
After delivery, she told us that they have a policy that they call "The Golden Hour". Where the baby is placed directly on mommy's abdomen/chest, skin-to-skin, for an hour so that baby and mommy can bond and also begin breastfeeding right away. It also is the best way to regulate baby's body temperature. This made me so happy! This is something I was going to request in my birthplan, but it eases my mind knowing that they already have this policy so they understand the importance of the skin-to-skin contact right after birth. During this time, it is uninterrupted time between mommy, daddy, and baby. Then after the Golden Hour, the baby is assigned a nurse that is called "Baby's First Friend" or BFF. The BFF will put the baby on the scale/warmer (which is located right next to mommy's bed) and take all the measurements and give her her first bath. During that time they will be cleaning me up and packing all of us up to transfer us to the mother/baby room which is a private room as well. So all in all, we will have about 2 hours before visitors can see our baby.
Once I am in the mother/baby room, then visitors can come in. However, they do have a time designated between 1-3pm where they request that visitors don't come because it is "nap time" for mommy and baby. It just gives mom's and dad's a break from visitors so that they can nap or bond with the baby without being interrupted by anyone, including nurses. They said for a normal delivery that we would be in that room for 2 nights and then will be discharged. Sometimes, if everything is good, they will discharge after only a one night stay at our request.
She also took us to see the Special Care Nursery for babies who are sick or might have fluid in their lungs. She explained that to us. Then she showed us where c-sections were performed and explained procedures concerning c-sections. She was able to show us where the regular nursery was, however, I wasn't able to look at any babies because they had the blinds closed for privacy issues. Bummer! :-)
Lastly, she explained the security measures that are taken to protect the baby. Jesús and I will both have wristbands that match the bands that are on each ankle of our baby. Also, our baby will have a magnetic band that will set off an alarm if the main door is open an
d our baby is too close to the door or is taken outside of the maternity area. If that happens, all elevators will go to the 3rd floor (maternity area) and be stuck there so no one can leave. So, it is pretty secure.
Now, for the updates:
 |
| Week 26 |
I still feel good, even though I do still have ligament/joint pain. Also, my left hand is bothering me a bit because it keeps getting numb if I have my arm bent for too long or if I am laying down and it is above my head (if that makes sense). I know this is normal because the blood isn't able to get down to my hands which is causing the numbing effect. I think it is carpal tunnel syndrome which can happen to women who are pregnant, but normally the symptoms go away after birth. So, that is what I am hoping! I am just massaging my forearms, wrists and palms to try to lengthen and loosen any tight muscles and tendons and that has helped alleviate most of the numbness. Other than that...all seems to be good. I am still doing my nightly exercises (squatting, pelvic tilts, and kegals) to help prepare for delivery...so I feel confident I will be ready!
Baby Update:
The network of nerves in baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both mommy and daddy's voice as we chat with each other. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. She's continuing to put on baby fat and now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the size of a scallion) from head to heel. Her face is getting rounder and fatter, as her fat reserves are giving her face a more rounded appearance. By now she can make coordinated hand and feet movements. She frequently brings her hands and feet to her mouth. If born early, she now has a 60 percent chance of surviving!
Well, that is all for this week. I know this was a long post, but I had to tell you about the birth center tour. Thanks again for all your prayers and support.
God bless,
Lisa
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Week 25 Pregnancy Update
Today marks 25 weeks of pregnancy. It seems that each week goes faster and faster. I know that towards the end it will probably seem slower and slower...but right now time is flying by!
Mommy Update:
I feel pretty good. I am having more ligament pain now. Especially when I first get up from sitting down, it takes a minute to work itself out. It seems to hurt worse when I have a full bladder, so the pressure/heaviness is what triggers the pain I think. It's not a pain that is so bad that I can't stand it...on a scale from 1-10 (ten being the worst pain I've ever felt), it's probably a 4 initially, but then goes down to a 2 after I walk around for a little while. So, not too bad. Plus, I'm seeing my chiropractor on a regular basis so I know that is helping me stay aligned and in good health. Oh, I also learned that my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball now!
I weighed in again today, as normal. I am up 0.2 lbs this week which is a total weight gain of 12.8 lbs.
Baby Update:
Baby girl has been moving around alot this past week. I love it! She's given me a couple of hard kicks that shocked me a bit...but it didn't hurt. I was just surprised at her strength! She's about 13 1/2 inches from head to heel and about 1 1/2 lbs. She is starting to grasp her hands and wiggle her fingers and toes. And nails are starting to form on the fingers and toes. She's also adding some baby fat to her body so her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more like a newborn. She's growing more hair -- and if we could see it, we'd be able to tell what the color and texture is! She also has a sense of equilibrium, so she now knows which way is up and which way is down. Also, if she were born this week, she'd have a good chance of survival. (However, I want her to stay nice and cozy for now and continue to grow healthy and strong!)
Next Monday we are taking a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital. It will be good to see the rooms and get a sense of where I'll be during the last part of labor. Since the hospital is only 5-10 minutes away, my goal is to try to labor as long as I can at home so that I can walk around and use the techniques I am learning in the Bradley Method class we are in. Plus, I will be more relaxed at home in my own environment so that will help.
Well, I think that is all for this week. Have a blessed week everyone!
Mommy Update:
I feel pretty good. I am having more ligament pain now. Especially when I first get up from sitting down, it takes a minute to work itself out. It seems to hurt worse when I have a full bladder, so the pressure/heaviness is what triggers the pain I think. It's not a pain that is so bad that I can't stand it...on a scale from 1-10 (ten being the worst pain I've ever felt), it's probably a 4 initially, but then goes down to a 2 after I walk around for a little while. So, not too bad. Plus, I'm seeing my chiropractor on a regular basis so I know that is helping me stay aligned and in good health. Oh, I also learned that my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball now!
I weighed in again today, as normal. I am up 0.2 lbs this week which is a total weight gain of 12.8 lbs.
Baby Update:
Baby girl has been moving around alot this past week. I love it! She's given me a couple of hard kicks that shocked me a bit...but it didn't hurt. I was just surprised at her strength! She's about 13 1/2 inches from head to heel and about 1 1/2 lbs. She is starting to grasp her hands and wiggle her fingers and toes. And nails are starting to form on the fingers and toes. She's also adding some baby fat to her body so her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more like a newborn. She's growing more hair -- and if we could see it, we'd be able to tell what the color and texture is! She also has a sense of equilibrium, so she now knows which way is up and which way is down. Also, if she were born this week, she'd have a good chance of survival. (However, I want her to stay nice and cozy for now and continue to grow healthy and strong!)
Next Monday we are taking a tour of the birthing center at Sherman Hospital. It will be good to see the rooms and get a sense of where I'll be during the last part of labor. Since the hospital is only 5-10 minutes away, my goal is to try to labor as long as I can at home so that I can walk around and use the techniques I am learning in the Bradley Method class we are in. Plus, I will be more relaxed at home in my own environment so that will help.
Well, I think that is all for this week. Have a blessed week everyone!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
24 Weeks (6 months) pregnant today!
I am officially 6 months pregnant today! I can't believe how fast this is going. I haven't even prepared anything at home yet for her arrival. It's time we get on it!
Mommy Update:
I still feel great. No changes there. I do have some ligament pain, but that is expected as the baby is growing and my tummy is expanding. I actually took a two hour nap on Sunday! I just thought I would lie down and rest my eyes for 10-15 minutes, but I guess I needed more rest since it turned into 2 hours.
We had a routine checkup on Saturday morning. Everything looked good. My blood pressure is good and baby girl's heartrate was at about 145 and strong. We were able to ask the doctor several questions that we had concerning the birth and such...so we were glad to get those answered. Also, we scheduled a tour of the birthing center at the hospital so we'll be doing that in a couple of weeks.
I weighed in again today, as usual. Last week I lost weight...but this week was a big growth spurt! I am up 5 pounds from last week! So that is a total weight gain of 12.6 pounds so far for the pregnancy.
Baby Update:
This past week I have felt so much movement! Daddy was able to feel her as well. Also, she gave Grandma Nancy a special treat while we were having lunch the other day. Grandma was able to feel her kick as well..and of course, there were tears of joy from grandma.
Although very little hair color can be seen at this stage, she does have some hair growth on the top of her head. She is approximately 12 inches long, about the size of an ear of corn! Also, sections of the lungs are expanding and she is starting to produce lung surfactant which helps to keep the lungs from collapsing after birth.
Her skin undergoes "keratinization" this week. Keratin is a very strong protein that makes up your outer layer of skin. It actually transforms the outer layer of skin into a protective layer of dead cells that are eventually shed. During keratinization, new skin cells, which are produced in the deepest part of the skin, gradually move toward the surface of the skin as it matures. After these skin cells become part of the outer protective layer of skin, they are gradually shed.
Lanugo hair - soft, downy hairs that cover your baby's body - are trapping "vernix" onto the surface of the skin. "Vernix" is a white, waxy substance that you often see on newborn babies' skin. This protects your baby's skin from all the water that surrounds it in utero and from the waste products in the amniotic fluid.
Picture time! So I thought I would gather all the pictures I've taken so far and put them into one picture. So here is a picture of my belly from week to week (I know, I am missing some weeks...but this is all I have). Enjoy!
Mommy Update:
I still feel great. No changes there. I do have some ligament pain, but that is expected as the baby is growing and my tummy is expanding. I actually took a two hour nap on Sunday! I just thought I would lie down and rest my eyes for 10-15 minutes, but I guess I needed more rest since it turned into 2 hours.
We had a routine checkup on Saturday morning. Everything looked good. My blood pressure is good and baby girl's heartrate was at about 145 and strong. We were able to ask the doctor several questions that we had concerning the birth and such...so we were glad to get those answered. Also, we scheduled a tour of the birthing center at the hospital so we'll be doing that in a couple of weeks.
I weighed in again today, as usual. Last week I lost weight...but this week was a big growth spurt! I am up 5 pounds from last week! So that is a total weight gain of 12.6 pounds so far for the pregnancy.
Baby Update:
This past week I have felt so much movement! Daddy was able to feel her as well. Also, she gave Grandma Nancy a special treat while we were having lunch the other day. Grandma was able to feel her kick as well..and of course, there were tears of joy from grandma.
Although very little hair color can be seen at this stage, she does have some hair growth on the top of her head. She is approximately 12 inches long, about the size of an ear of corn! Also, sections of the lungs are expanding and she is starting to produce lung surfactant which helps to keep the lungs from collapsing after birth.
Her skin undergoes "keratinization" this week. Keratin is a very strong protein that makes up your outer layer of skin. It actually transforms the outer layer of skin into a protective layer of dead cells that are eventually shed. During keratinization, new skin cells, which are produced in the deepest part of the skin, gradually move toward the surface of the skin as it matures. After these skin cells become part of the outer protective layer of skin, they are gradually shed.
Lanugo hair - soft, downy hairs that cover your baby's body - are trapping "vernix" onto the surface of the skin. "Vernix" is a white, waxy substance that you often see on newborn babies' skin. This protects your baby's skin from all the water that surrounds it in utero and from the waste products in the amniotic fluid.
Picture time! So I thought I would gather all the pictures I've taken so far and put them into one picture. So here is a picture of my belly from week to week (I know, I am missing some weeks...but this is all I have). Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
23 Weeks - Baby Girl is growing!
Today I am 23 weeks pregnant! I am approaching the 6 month mark (next week). I can't believe how fast time is going. I am trying to slow down and enjoy every little detail about this pregnancy since it is flying by!
Mommy Update: I still feel great! I thank God that I have had such an awesome pregnancy so far...no sickness or nausea...no complications....everything is just perfect. Thank you Lord! Now that school is over I have had more time to relax. I am reading more books (I am on my 3rd book already!) and just enjoying my time at home after work and on the weekend. We have been eating more healthy as well. Now that I don't have school I am able to cook dinner every night instead of just eating PB&J's on the way to school! So because of that, I think that is why I lost weight this week. I lost 1.4lbs instead of gaining weight. However, my belly is still protruding (as it should), I think I am losing fat instead! At least I hope! So, now I am up 7.6lbs from pre-pregnancy weight.
On the right is a belly shot...Major got in the picture as well so I decided to keep him in the pic and not crop him out! ha ha!
Baby Update: She is moving around like crazy now. It feels like she is doing somersaults inside my tummy and sometimes it feels like she is playing the drums! ha ha! According to the websites I look at, she is just over 11 inches long and weighs over a pound. She has a sense of movement so she can feel when I am moving around. Her blood vessels in her lungs are developing and her taste buds have formed. Lastly, she is able to hear more sounds. Loud noises (like Major barking, the vacuum, or the horn on the train) are becoming familiar and probably won't faze her after she is born. (That will be a blessing!) Daddy has felt her kick a few times...but it seems that as soon as he places his hand on my stomach, then she stops moving. I figure she knows it is daddy and calms down when she feels his loving touch. At least, that is what I tell him!
I think that is all for this week. God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Mommy Update: I still feel great! I thank God that I have had such an awesome pregnancy so far...no sickness or nausea...no complications....everything is just perfect. Thank you Lord! Now that school is over I have had more time to relax. I am reading more books (I am on my 3rd book already!) and just enjoying my time at home after work and on the weekend. We have been eating more healthy as well. Now that I don't have school I am able to cook dinner every night instead of just eating PB&J's on the way to school! So because of that, I think that is why I lost weight this week. I lost 1.4lbs instead of gaining weight. However, my belly is still protruding (as it should), I think I am losing fat instead! At least I hope! So, now I am up 7.6lbs from pre-pregnancy weight.
On the right is a belly shot...Major got in the picture as well so I decided to keep him in the pic and not crop him out! ha ha!Baby Update: She is moving around like crazy now. It feels like she is doing somersaults inside my tummy and sometimes it feels like she is playing the drums! ha ha! According to the websites I look at, she is just over 11 inches long and weighs over a pound. She has a sense of movement so she can feel when I am moving around. Her blood vessels in her lungs are developing and her taste buds have formed. Lastly, she is able to hear more sounds. Loud noises (like Major barking, the vacuum, or the horn on the train) are becoming familiar and probably won't faze her after she is born. (That will be a blessing!) Daddy has felt her kick a few times...but it seems that as soon as he places his hand on my stomach, then she stops moving. I figure she knows it is daddy and calms down when she feels his loving touch. At least, that is what I tell him!
I think that is all for this week. God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
22 Weeks (5 1/2 months) -- Baby is the size of a spaghetti squash!
Today marks 22 weeks of being pregnant. I am still feeling really good and things are going very well. I feel more rested now since I am out of school (graduation is this Friday!) and am able to get to bed earlier. She is moving so much now! Last night while we were watching Monday Night Football I was feeling her kick so I started watching my stomach to see if I could see it move and I did! I saw (and felt) two solid kicks and saw my belly move. Ha! It was amazing!
Mommy Update: This last week I have been so thankful that I have felt more movement. It is the best feeling ever to know that she's in there growing and making herself comfortable. Also, I have started doing exercises (squatting, butterflies, pelvic tilts) as my homework for our class we are taking for natural birth (The Bradley Method). So I'm glad that I am beginning my preparations for labor now and getting my body ready. I weighed in today and gained one pound so I am up 9 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. In the class we are in, they gave us a "diet" to try where we eat more protein and calcium so I am giving that a try as well. At least, I am tracking what I eat so I can see where I am. So overall, I feel good physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Baby Update: This week the baby measures about 11 inches, about the size of a spaghetti squash. According to the website, she weighs about 1 pound! Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct. She also is developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises still lack pigment. Her brain is growing and starting to develop more complex neurological connections. And lastly, her pancreas (which is essential for the production of some important hormones) is developing steadily.
We are still trying to figure out a name for our little girl. I know that when we find it, it will be perfect for her. We aren't sure if we want to share the name once we figure it out or not...so we'll see. It will be very difficult for me to keep it secret, so I will need to convince Jesús to just let it out! ha ha!
Here is the latest picture of me. I am really showing now but at least I haven't had any strangers come up and touch my belly yet!
God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Mommy Update: This last week I have been so thankful that I have felt more movement. It is the best feeling ever to know that she's in there growing and making herself comfortable. Also, I have started doing exercises (squatting, butterflies, pelvic tilts) as my homework for our class we are taking for natural birth (The Bradley Method). So I'm glad that I am beginning my preparations for labor now and getting my body ready. I weighed in today and gained one pound so I am up 9 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. In the class we are in, they gave us a "diet" to try where we eat more protein and calcium so I am giving that a try as well. At least, I am tracking what I eat so I can see where I am. So overall, I feel good physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Baby Update: This week the baby measures about 11 inches, about the size of a spaghetti squash. According to the website, she weighs about 1 pound! Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct. She also is developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises still lack pigment. Her brain is growing and starting to develop more complex neurological connections. And lastly, her pancreas (which is essential for the production of some important hormones) is developing steadily.
We are still trying to figure out a name for our little girl. I know that when we find it, it will be perfect for her. We aren't sure if we want to share the name once we figure it out or not...so we'll see. It will be very difficult for me to keep it secret, so I will need to convince Jesús to just let it out! ha ha!
Here is the latest picture of me. I am really showing now but at least I haven't had any strangers come up and touch my belly yet!
God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
The Bradley Method
Tonight we start our weekly classes for The Bradley Method. They teach about natural child birth. Some of the things we will learn are nutrition and exercise, relaxation for an easier birth, husbands as coaches, and birth plans. I am very excited to start these classes...yet it makes me nervous too since that means we are getting closer and closer to having our daughter!
Everyone who asks me whether or not I am going to get an epidural are shocked when I say that "no, I don't want to use medication". Then they tell me that it is the worst pain I will ever go through and that I will wish I had gotten the epidural. People, I know that it will be the worst pain I've experienced...but I think I can do it and am determined to do it so long as it's safe for me and my baby. It's not that I think I am a better woman for wanting to have a natural child birth...I just want what is best for my daughter and for me.
So, needless to say, I am excited to learn about the relaxation techniques and different positioning that will help me through labor. Also, I am happy that Jesús will learn how to be a good coach and be prepared for the pain that I will experience and help me through it....
Everyone who asks me whether or not I am going to get an epidural are shocked when I say that "no, I don't want to use medication". Then they tell me that it is the worst pain I will ever go through and that I will wish I had gotten the epidural. People, I know that it will be the worst pain I've experienced...but I think I can do it and am determined to do it so long as it's safe for me and my baby. It's not that I think I am a better woman for wanting to have a natural child birth...I just want what is best for my daughter and for me.
So, needless to say, I am excited to learn about the relaxation techniques and different positioning that will help me through labor. Also, I am happy that Jesús will learn how to be a good coach and be prepared for the pain that I will experience and help me through it....
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
21 Weeks today -- Our daughter is the size of a carrot!
Today I am 21 weeks pregnant. I am still feeling really good and things are going very well. I am feeling her move more and more every day...probably because she is getting bigger. I forgot to mention that during the ultrasound they said she weighed 13 ounces...which is bigger than I expected! Since all the websites said that she should have been around 9-10 ounces! Ha ha! Some cool news is that daddy was able to feel her kick last Sunday night! He was so happy to be able to feel her. Hopefully there will be more of that soon!
Mommy Update: So this last week I have been feeling overwhelmingly grateful to God. Now that I know I am having a little girl, a daughter, this pregnancy seems more real. Also, knowing she is healthy makes me even more grateful. God is so good and has shown us so much favor. I am overwhelmed with His love for me. I weighed in today and lost a little so I am still up about 8 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. I asked my doctor at our last appointment if this was ok and he said all was good. As long as I am eating (which I am) and not starving myself then my body is doing what it should. So, I feel better about that. It's funny how much my stomach has grown though, even though I've only put on 8 pounds. But, I'm ok with that!
Baby Update: This week the baby measures about 10 1/2 inches, about the size of a carrot. According to the website, she weighs about 3/4's a pound...however, based on her weight during the ultrasound, she is 80% of a pound...so she's ahead of schedule! Her eyebrows and eye lids are present now. To stay warm she is developing body fat. Also, she hiccups often as a means to practice breathing and swallows amniotic fluid in order to practice eating.
Among other news, we went to Babies R Us and registered. That was a fun time! We are going to go with a lavender and butterflies theme for her nursery. There are so many cool things available for babies now so we had a great time shopping around.
God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Mommy Update: So this last week I have been feeling overwhelmingly grateful to God. Now that I know I am having a little girl, a daughter, this pregnancy seems more real. Also, knowing she is healthy makes me even more grateful. God is so good and has shown us so much favor. I am overwhelmed with His love for me. I weighed in today and lost a little so I am still up about 8 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. I asked my doctor at our last appointment if this was ok and he said all was good. As long as I am eating (which I am) and not starving myself then my body is doing what it should. So, I feel better about that. It's funny how much my stomach has grown though, even though I've only put on 8 pounds. But, I'm ok with that!
Baby Update: This week the baby measures about 10 1/2 inches, about the size of a carrot. According to the website, she weighs about 3/4's a pound...however, based on her weight during the ultrasound, she is 80% of a pound...so she's ahead of schedule! Her eyebrows and eye lids are present now. To stay warm she is developing body fat. Also, she hiccups often as a means to practice breathing and swallows amniotic fluid in order to practice eating.
Among other news, we went to Babies R Us and registered. That was a fun time! We are going to go with a lavender and butterflies theme for her nursery. There are so many cool things available for babies now so we had a great time shopping around.
God bless and thank you so much for all your prayers. Take care!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Daddy felt baby kick today!
Tonight I noticed that when our baby girl kicked that I was able to feel it from the outside. So I told Jesùs. We were watching TV on the couch and I just had him put his hand where I felt her kick. Of course, after 15 minutes or so she didn't kick. So I repositioned myself and put his hand on the opposite side of my belly and about 5 minutes later he felt her kick! He was so happy! Hopefully in the next couple weeks it will become more regular and he'll be able to feel her movements more. So exciting!!!
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Pictures from the ultrasound...
Here are the pictures they gave us from the ultrasound. I labeled them as best I could for those that have a hard time reading them :-)
 |
| Look at those thighs! |
 |
| She had her legs crossed here...so you can see her two feet. |
 |
| All curled up... |
 |
| Looking from the back, she is on her side... |
 |
IT'S A......
IT'S A GIRL!!!!
We found out we are having a baby girl! She is healthy and perfect :-) She was moving her hands alot and moving her mouth. She weighs 13 ounces!
As you can see (maybe) in the right hand picture, the sonographer wrote out "100% Princess". You can see that we are looking from the bottom up and there is nothing there...ha ha! Just little girl parts!
We are so excited to welcome a little girl into our family. We can't wait to meet her!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
20 Week Update: Halfway there!!!
Wow! Today marks the 20 week mark, which means I am officially half way through my pregnancy already! Time has flown by! I still remember the day when we found out I was pregnant. It seems like yesterday. I remember how stressful the first 10 days were because I had to wait that long before the doctor could see me and confirm I was pregnant (even though I took 6 tests that all came out positive! ha!). It's amazing that 14 weeks have passed since that day! And now, tomorrow is the big day! We have an ultrasound and we will hopefully be able to find out the gender. We are extremely excited!
Mommy Update: I am still feeling really good. I have had more heartburn and I am a little achy, but I am not complaining. It could be alot worse. My belly is still growing...I can feel the heaviness now. I am up 8.2lbs total (I gained a pound and a half last week!). I have felt the baby move alot this past week. It is always when I am sitting and after I have eaten. So I must be giving baby some extra energy!
Baby Update: Now, instead of measuring baby from "head to rump", they are measuring from "head to heel". So, this week the baby measures 10 inches, about the size of a banana or a carrot. Baby weighs approximately 10.5 ounces. He/she is swallowing more and producing meconium (a product of digestion) which is stored in the bowels. I guess we will see this when baby has his/her first dirty diaper! Also, baby's skin is covered with a greasy, white substance (the vernix caseosa) which protects the skin while in the amniotic fluid.
So, like I said, tomorrow we will find out the gender (God willing!). It's funny because when I first was pregnant I just knew it was going to be a girl. But now, I am leaning more towards a boy. Jesús also is on the fence now. He thought for sure a girl in the beginning...but now he is thinking it may be a boy. Either way, I am blessed to have this child and will be happy with a boy or a girl and will love them unconditionally!
I will be posting again tomorrow, to reveal the gender. :-) Stay tuned....
Love
Lisa
Mommy Update: I am still feeling really good. I have had more heartburn and I am a little achy, but I am not complaining. It could be alot worse. My belly is still growing...I can feel the heaviness now. I am up 8.2lbs total (I gained a pound and a half last week!). I have felt the baby move alot this past week. It is always when I am sitting and after I have eaten. So I must be giving baby some extra energy!
 |
| 8/27/13 - 20 Weeks |
Baby Update: Now, instead of measuring baby from "head to rump", they are measuring from "head to heel". So, this week the baby measures 10 inches, about the size of a banana or a carrot. Baby weighs approximately 10.5 ounces. He/she is swallowing more and producing meconium (a product of digestion) which is stored in the bowels. I guess we will see this when baby has his/her first dirty diaper! Also, baby's skin is covered with a greasy, white substance (the vernix caseosa) which protects the skin while in the amniotic fluid.
So, like I said, tomorrow we will find out the gender (God willing!). It's funny because when I first was pregnant I just knew it was going to be a girl. But now, I am leaning more towards a boy. Jesús also is on the fence now. He thought for sure a girl in the beginning...but now he is thinking it may be a boy. Either way, I am blessed to have this child and will be happy with a boy or a girl and will love them unconditionally!
I will be posting again tomorrow, to reveal the gender. :-) Stay tuned....
Love
Lisa
Friday, August 23, 2013
Little Bears Fan In The Making??
Tonight was a preseason game for the Bears. Jesús and I were sitting on the couch getting ready for the game to start. When they started announcing the players on the Bears that were starting, the baby started moving around alot! I started laughing because I thought, can this little one hear the TV and is baby excited about the Bears?! Ha! Then, when Robbie Gould went for the first kick to start the game, baby kicked too! That was too funny!! We got a great laugh out of that :-)
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Many more flutters today!
Today I felt so many flutters and little tiny kicks. It seemed to happen more after I would eat something, but I really don't think it was gas. The feeling was different than that. I think baby was thanking me for the nourishment and got a boost of energy! Ha! I have been praying the last few days that I would feel something and God answered my prayers. He is so good! He's show us so much favor...
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
19 Weeks - Baby is the size of a large heirloom tomato!
Well, we are at week 19...almost half way there! I can't believe how fast time as flown. Yesterday I felt the first little flutters of our little one! It started in the morning when I was waking up. I felt a couple light kicks in my lower left abdomen. Then, at work while sitting at my desk I felt some more fluttering in the same area. And finally, at school last night I felt some more fluttering for about 10 minutes off and on. So, I am pretty sure it was the little one yesterday...being pretty active! Before I heading to school, I used my fetal doppler to listen to the heartbeat and I put the probe where I felt the fluttering earlier in the day. Sure enough, I could hear the baby's heat beat immediately (about 150 beats per minute) and baby was kicking (even though I couldn't feel it, the doppler makes a funny sound when baby kicks). It's pretty amazing! God is so good :-)
Mommy Update: I am still feeling really good. The only thing that I have noticed is that I do get heartburn more often, still burping, I am tired in the afternoon and in the evening, and some ligament pain. But all of this is normal so I am not complaining! The cramping I was getting in my lower legs a few weeks back have subsided. The doctor told me to drink more milk (or intake more calcium), which I did, so that has helped. My belly is growing, even though I am only up 6 1/2 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight (up .6lbs from last week). So I am gaining slowly and steadily, which is good for me since I was already carrying extra weight before I was pregnant.
Baby Update: According to BabyCenter.com, this week the baby is about the size of a large heirloom tomato -- baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom. Baby's sensory development is exploding! The brain is designating
specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Baby's arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the
rest of the body now. The kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on
her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix
caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the
amniotic fluid.
We have our normal 4-week checkup this Thursday (Aug 22nd). I assume everything will go as normal...they usually only last about 15 minutes since I am not having any issues. But next week on Wednesday, August 28th is the appointment we've been waiting on! It's our level 2 ultrasound and we will be finding out the gender of the baby! I am so excited for this!! I just pray the baby cooperates and has his/her legs spread wide open! Ha ha!
Lastly, here is a picture Jesús took today of my belly. It might be sticking out a little further than it should since I just ate a big breakfast that Jesús cooked for me (eggs, sausage, toast and milk)! But, it's ok...I will still share!
I will probably post again on Thursday to let you know how our doctors appoint goes. Until then, have a blessed week!
Mommy Update: I am still feeling really good. The only thing that I have noticed is that I do get heartburn more often, still burping, I am tired in the afternoon and in the evening, and some ligament pain. But all of this is normal so I am not complaining! The cramping I was getting in my lower legs a few weeks back have subsided. The doctor told me to drink more milk (or intake more calcium), which I did, so that has helped. My belly is growing, even though I am only up 6 1/2 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight (up .6lbs from last week). So I am gaining slowly and steadily, which is good for me since I was already carrying extra weight before I was pregnant.
We have our normal 4-week checkup this Thursday (Aug 22nd). I assume everything will go as normal...they usually only last about 15 minutes since I am not having any issues. But next week on Wednesday, August 28th is the appointment we've been waiting on! It's our level 2 ultrasound and we will be finding out the gender of the baby! I am so excited for this!! I just pray the baby cooperates and has his/her legs spread wide open! Ha ha!
 |
| 19 Weeks |
I will probably post again on Thursday to let you know how our doctors appoint goes. Until then, have a blessed week!
Friday, August 16, 2013
Family Fun Day!
For this weekend, we were able to get the boys early. So Jesús and I decided to take the day off so we could spend some extra time with them. The boys decided that they wanted to play miniature golf so that is what we did. The weather was so nice....upper 70's....so it was a perfect day to be outside. Here are some pictures from our time mini golfing:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)