Friday, October 28, 2011

12 Weeks

Baby:

The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.
Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

That's how baby is growing.
I think I've moved away from the fear of losing the baby but on to the fear of something being wrong with baby because of this clot. I didn't really ask if it would be harmful developmentally if my baby survived. I know, silly. God is the Maker of this baby and there will be no mistakes. But still I wonder...

I am feeling much better. A little more so each day I think. Less nausea. Less fatigue. It's great!

Still anxiously awaiting those first flutters that tell me, "I'm here!" That is the most exciting part of the first half. Speaking of the first half, it's only 8 weeks until I am halfway. Just before Christmas. And next week I will begin the second trimester. Yay! One-third of the way.

P.S. I really need help with a header for my blog! I am so clueless and I can't ever find one that I can customize well and that matches the background I chose. The header looks dumb the way it is.
HELP!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Nostalgia

: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period or irrecoverable condition

1.
That's been my day. A day filled with nostalgia.
Basically, I've been a sentimental, weeping mess for a good portion of the afternoon.
You see, I had to go through this old desk we have. It's the one we've used since we got married. The one that I sat at browsing the web while Adam was slowly and steadily growing in my belly.
The one where I wrote little love notes to my hubby and lists of things I would need when we became parents or things we needed for our fridge any particular week.
The one where I sat with Adam on my lap and Rowan growing slowly and steadily in my belly.
Searching real estate listings praying that we could find something we might afford and be able to raise our two sweet boys in.
The desk that we moved into our newly purchased home to sit in the basement while we remodeled upstairs and lived in the driveway in a motorhome.
And has sat there since then, unused, untouched, and collecting dust.
For four-and-a-half years.
Yeah.
That desk.
The one filled with old letters and lists. With pictures of my baby boys.
And pictures of almost all of your babies too.
The ones that now have no trace whatsoever of the babies we knew back then.
I cleaned it out today so that my dear little brother can have it on Saturday.
Then his wife can bawl when she cleans it out six and a half years from now and remembers sitting at it with her baby growing.

2.
I found out that I am getting another niece sometime in March.
I strongly believe that this means I am having a boy.
(not really)

3.
Well, since I am choosing to believe the best, I will be having a baby in May.
This means I will have to rename my blog again.
4 P's in a Pod sounds kinda dumb.
I am drawing a blank.
I would love suggestions.

4.
Now that the desk is clean, I can focus on our pantry/store room in the basement.
I actually have a plan! I drew out how I want the shelves organized and everything.
Of course, someday it will be remodeled with painted walls, nice new shelves, and real flooring.
But for now I have an idea in mind that will make it nice, organized, and functional.

5.
Since I am on an organizing kick, next week I start upstairs.

6.
I have about 9 million Christmas projects that I want to try.
It will be so nice to have our school room complete so I have a spot I can do projects and not need to clean up for every meal and school.
Anyway, I don't know how to find the time to get everything done.
I want to simplify and do more at the same time.

7.
Speaking of Christmas, it's less than two months away.
Can you believe it?
Any good ideas for one "big" girl gift?
I think we are set on what to get the boys but I don't have any ideas for Avril.
I thought buying them one under the tree gift would make things easier.
I am actually finding it much more difficult.

8.
Jay and Adam leave for the east coast on the 12th of November.
That means that for the next two weeks we have to double up on our school lessons.
I can't get behind, I actually need to get ahead so we can finish up the year before baby arrives.
Sometimes school doesn't take more than a couple of hours.
Other days, we go all.day.long.
Depends on how much Adam resists.

9.
Revising our eating menu to exclude dairy again.
Of course Jay and I are fine but the kids are going to be enjoying almond milk and rice milk in their food.
I seem to notice a difference by cutting out even the lactose free stuff.
Grrrr.
It's worth it though.

10.
We still don't know what we are doing for Thanksgiving.
We are waiting to hear from Jay's family so we can decide whether or not
we will spend with my side or his.
Hopefully we will have an answer soon.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Update

I had an ultrasound this morning. It never ceases to amaze me how awesome it is to see those little babies moving around in there. Complete with a cute little profile, fingers, & toes.

 Hard to say whether or not we got good news. The good part is that "baby" has a strong heartbeat & is moving around & healthy overall. The tech said that's what we want to see. The part we don't want to see is the blood pocket/clot where the placenta attches to the uterine wall. There is a small area where the placenta was either torn or never attached to the uterus and a blood vessel ruptured. Hence the bleeding I had last week. The technician said that she has seen way worse ones than mine go on to have normal, healthy pregnancies and deliveries. She also said that she has seen some where she couldn't even tell where it was bleeding only to hear later that they had miscarried shortly after.

Ideally, this clot will absorb into my body and we will never hear from it or see it again. There also is a chance I could just pass it out. The concern is that it will rerupture or tear further from the uterine wall. If it tears too far, baby will not get the needed nutrients and it will result in a miscarriage.

I am to take it easy and really concentrate on staying hydrated and taking my vitamins. The goal is to give this tear/rupture time to heal completely. I was told that my regular 30 minute walk each day would be fine but have been begged by numerous relatives not to continue. I am not on bedrest just instructed to take it easy.

I will be going back in for another ultrasound on the 17th of November. They want to monitor the clot. I would really appreciate it if you all could remember us in prayer. I am a bit nervous about all this. They didn't say I was going to lose the baby but they didn't really reassure me either.

Another high note is that my official due date is May 11, 2012. So I am actually further along than I thought. Not by much but I'll take it. One more week until the second trimester. Yay!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

10 weeks

Had quite the scare earlier this week. Thought we were losing "little peanut". Turned out to be a false alarm and we heard the heartbeat for the first time on Wednesday. Praise the Lord! I have an ultrasound this coming Wednesday just to double-check & make sure everything looks healthy. Excited to see my little one.

This week baby continues to grow & my morning sickness(which hits every night) seems to be getting better. The fatigue is starting to wear off a bit too although I do still seem to want a nap in the afternoon. I don't feel quite as foggy as I have the last few weeks.

Baby:
Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.
He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.
If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.
In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

Pretty amazing how fast they grow and develop. I just learned that "fetus" means "little one". I had never heard that before. Although the little one is growing quickly I am still anxious to feel it moving. That seems like a long way off. I'm sure time will fly by but I am feeling impatient. Thankfully I have a lot to keep me busy & distracted! Each one seems to go faster than the last. Well, until about 34 weeks anyway. Then I feel like I'll be pregnant in eternity. *smile* Oh well. Regardless of how quickly it goes I am determined to enjoy it. Jay says 4 is his limit and I tend to agree that it is mine as well. So, except for some unseen plan, this should be the last time I experience this. As sad as that sounds, I am feeling excited about moving into the next phase of life.

Anyhow, I really am enjoying it this time around! I don't feel extremely crabby as of yet and so far I have not gained much weight although my jeans are getting tight.  And there is a lot going on between now & May. Jay & Adam are taking a trip back east in November. Then we have Thanksgiving. After that it's the Christmas program, Rowan's birthday, Christmas, New Year, two new nieces, Adam's birthday, & then we get to find out whether we get another son or another daughter. It doesn't stop there! In February we go on our annual two week vacation to Colorado & Arizona. When we get home it will be the beginning of March and at the end of the month we get another niece or nephew(they think niece but are getting a second ultrasound to be sure) and then we have one month to wrap up school. At that time we will be into May & preparing for the arrival of our youngest. Phew! When I type it all out I kinda want to panic about the lack of time I've got! Guess that means I'd better get up & get something done. It's just Avril & Mommy today so we might run into town & do some grocery shopping.

Have a good week!

Oh! I am going to be getting a new mother board for my computer soon so I should have a million and one pictures to post very soon.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Blessings

Today I am grateful for the blessing of a little beating heart.
Heard for the first time by human ears. But heard since the beginning by our God.
For the blessing of a tiny bit of peace & an overwhelming sense of love.

Today I am grateful for the blessing of two sons.
Boys full of energy & life & laughter.
Full of curiosity.
For boys who say things like,"Mommy, I don't want my grandma crackers(grahm crackers) right now."
Or
"We're supposed to like God the most."
And
"Rowan thinks we're having a boy but I think we're having a girl. And I know one of us is right and it's ME!"

Today I am grateful for the blessing of a daughter.
A girly-girl who has to kiss & hug every family member before bed.
For a girl whose pants must entirely cover her shoelaces.
For the ball of energy who insists on bringing her entire kitchen collection to the coffee
table every.single.day.

Today I am grateful for the blessing of a God-fearing husband.
For the voice singing in the background & the helping hand whenever I am overwhelmed & exhausted.
For the opinions that drive me crazy but are usually right or at the very least sensible.
For the warm fire built by work-roughened hands.
For my partner in crime, and in life, and in rearing these lunatic kids.

Today I am grateful for the blessing of Truth revealed.
Revealed to me by a merciful Father, a loving Son, & a convicting Holy Spirit.

Monday, October 17, 2011

9 weeks

As of Saturday I am 9 weeks into my pregnancy. The nausea seems to only hit at night time now and my fatigue seems to be lifting the last few days. I have more energy which is really nice. I've been needing it.
And the good news is, Jay won't be starting work until 8:00 most mornings now so I will be able to walk before he leaves once again. It hadn't been getting light out early enough for me to do this anymore. The bad news is, Jay isn't starting work until 8:00 on most mornings now so he will be getting home even later in the evening. Bummer. I guess it's getting to be that time of year anyway.

Back to baby.
Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.


Hoping that doesn't mean I'm poised for rapid weight gain!=)

Still haven't been to the doctor but I am calling today. I know they will want me to take a pregnancy test before they set up an appointment but I like to call and give them a heads up and find out the best time to come in for the test. Not really looking forward to the whole routine but it will be exciting to hear baby's heartbeat(should be far enough along for that).

My other blessings are all sick. Just some nasty colds but they are, well, nasty. Snotty, coughing, grouchy, & overall ickiness. Poor kiddos.

Got some pears canned yesterday. Unfortunately I waited too long and ended up with only 6 quarts of bartletts. But we do have a ton of another kind that will be ready to can this week and although they aren't as good for just eating, they are good for canning. I think I'll get between 12 & 20 quarts of those. Not too bad.

We are also going to get cider pressed in the next couple of weekends. So if you've got any gallon jugs for us and feel inspired to come help pick, you might wind up with a few gallons of cider. Jay says we have a ton of apples and will end up with well over 50 gallons(honestly, I think he said like around 100, but I'm skeptical). Our first year we only had 27. The next year, they froze too early. And last year we didn't get apples at all. This year they are plentiful albeit, late. Too bad cider makes me horribly sick with awful stomach pains.
Still can't get this laptop to recognize my camera so I've gotta figure out how to get my pictures on here. I won't give up. Jay will have time to help me someday.
 
I'd better go make lunch. School is already out of the way for the day. WooHooo!

Monday, October 10, 2011

It's True

Yes, it's true, Jay and I are expecting our 4th little blessing.

I am just over 8 weeks along(I think). That puts my due date around the 19th of May. I have not been to the doctor as of yet but plan on going in soon. They don't usually want to see you before 8 weeks anyhow.

As far as symptoms go, this little one is making me the most queezy of the four. I also have been really wiped out but that might just be because I have so much more to do than I did with previous pregnancies. However, I don't feel too crabby yet. That's a bonus!

Even though I have been feeling a little green it has been random & I still have not actually gotten sick. It seems to be the worst at night and so I usually just go to bed & sleep it off. Not too bad really, compared to others.

I also feel like a 13-year-old girl with the sudden breakouts I am having on my face. Makes a girl feel glamorous with the nausea & spotted face but I guess it is always worth it in the end. It also makes me think it could be another girl as I didn't do that with the boys but I did with Avril. Of course every baby is different so I'm not getting my hopes up too much. Two boys & two girls seems pretty picture perfect. And, honestly, I am thrilled either way.

My biggest concern is weight gain. I put on a lot of weight with Avril and I really want to avoid that this time around. It is a little difficult when I start feeling sick if I don't eat and I have not had the time or energy to exercise much extra. Of course, laziness is my biggest adversary so I just need to push past it. This also relates to the size of the baby. My goal is to keep this child under a nine-pound birth weight. I am told I can help this by watching what I eat. I am skeptical though since with Adam I ended up weighing 10 lbs less after I had him than when I got pregnant and he still weighed 9 lbs 9 oz. But it's still worth a shot since it may mean weight loss for me regardless of the baby's weight. But if you all would pray for my diligence and self control in this area, I would appreciate it.

I guess there is not a lot more information to be told as it is still early on. We will most likely be finding out the gender of the baby just after the new year. We will wait to discuss names until then. And yes, we are very excited!

I will keep everybody updated on baby's progress. Right now little blessing is about the size of a large raspberry & weighs 1 gram. External ears, baby teeth buds, optic nerve and eyelids are forming now. And baby moves its tiny arms & legs. How amazing.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

HONEST

Okay girls, the pictures are on my camera. I am just too tired and too busy to figure out how to get them on the computer tonight. But I will.






Yes I will!








YES. I. WILL.






Honest.