Welcome to my crib!

Well, Daniel's crib anyway! As you can see we now have a place to lay his punkin head. My wonderful mom purchased this crib for us on Friday. The three of us had so much fun picking out the crib and finishing up the registry. I almost wonder if my mom enjoyed herself even more than us. She bought several "grandma" themed bibs to keep at her house. One of my favorites was "What happens at Grandmas, stays at grandmas". They were all just adorable. I can't wait to see him try them on. The crib was very easy to put together. (A little too easy!) In fact, Michael did most of it and we didn't strangle each other in the process! We are so excited for Daniel to get here and occupy his new crib. Once we get the nursery all set up I will post pictures of the finished room!





Enjoy the slide show of the crib building process.

Week 31: Another day... another ounce

Baby's development in pregnancy week 31: Your not-so-little-one is just a bit closer to their birth weight and height at around 4 pounds and 17 inches. With each added layer of baby fat, your baby's skin starts to look more and more like it will when they finally get to see the light of day. The heavy news: you can expect your miracle-gro muffin to gain about a half a pound of weight per week from now until about two weeks before birth. Great. That's just what you needed. Even more weight to carry around!
Your baby's still-developing immune system has gained substantial strength over the past few weeks getting them in full gear to face our disease-ridden world o’ wonders. Obviously, a large majority of your child’s immune strength will be derived from exposure to breast milk as well as the outside elements. Their cute little noggin’ (which could already be covered with luscious locks or just purty peach fuzz), is still soft because the skull bones have not yet fused together. As much as that sounds a little too vulnerable, their “skull softness” allows for a much smoother passage through the birth canal during labor—something both you and your little swimmer will appreciate when it’s finally time to “go!” Also, some babies will have that “soft spot” on their head for up to one year after birth.

And how's mom doing? Have you felt anything you suspect might be contractions already? Braxton-Hick contractions are part and parcel of the second half of pregnancy and lucky for you, become more frequent during the third trimester. Cleverly dubbed “false labor” contractions, these spasms are an obnoxious fake-out and shouldn’t be confused with premature labor. The fun part of having BH contractions is that it’s not unusual for them to be painful... and by fun, we mean “why oh why, does the third trimester mean everything is uncomfortable?” Still, just a heads up: if you notice the contractions more than four times in one hour, or even more glamorous—changes in your vaginal discharge, call your healthcare practitioner right away.
As for other third-trimester niceties; your nipples may be engaging in a bit of “pre-milk” expulsion at the most untimely moments. So next time you’ve got yourself a pair of damp head-lights in the grocery store, just go ahead and purchase the nursing pads to protect your clothes, bras, and any remaining shreds of dignity you can salvage.
As your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back, get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

I know it's been a while. Lots of stuff going on. So here goes.

Why does this look like a diaper changing gone horribly awry?

Week 30: Goodbye monkey baby, hello roly poly!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 30: The light is visible at the end of the tunnel! Your oversized self and amazing growing baby have finally reached the single digits (in terms of weeks till birth)! The fine lanugo hair that has been growing all over their little monkey-like body is going to start falling off this week in preparation for the big day. But don’t be shocked if they’re hairier than you’d anticipated, some babies keep their lanugo until after birth. Still, it’s not any cause to be concerned as it will fall off eventually. No surprises here: your little porker is getting even cuter with increasingly pudgy arms and legs this week thanks to the ever-growing layers of subcutaneous fat. In terms of numbers, your baby should be weighing in at around 3 pounds 12 ounces (or more!) and be nearly 16 inches long.

How your life's changing: You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

"It's in the brown cardboard box marked..."

Well, we are all in moved in! I would first like to thank everyone who helped us this past weekend! We wouldn't have done it in such record time without you!! We had three cars, three pick-up trucks and trailers and five sweaty men helping us load and unload everything. Thank you Dad, David, John, Barrett and Larry! We also had help from my mom and sister, Jennifer, when it came to cleaning. Surprisingly, we were almost as sweaty as the men! Who in their right mind picks the first day of summer to move? Oh, wait...anyway. Thank you Mom and Jennifer. (Not to mention the inventor of the vacuum!)

The dogs love the new big yard, but Michael is still working on doggy proofing it. It's a chain-link fence that my clever girls can climb. So he is working on a hot-wire. It's been successful so far. All three dogs have gotten a taste of the fence. Once he's done then the two girls, Daisy and Gretchen, will become outdoor dogs. Not exactly great timing with summer here, but we will definitely be mindful of the weather. Frito will still live in the lap of luxury indoors. (Luxury in doggy standards anyway.)

We are really enjoying the new place. It's much smaller than we're used to so we've had to down-size quite a bit. We'll be planning a yard sale pretty soon to clear out what we don't need. Sadly, it's a lot more than we could have ever imagined. So, if anyone needs something, anything, just ask because it's possible we may have it in our "yard sale" pile. We are of course surrounded by boxes that are yet to be unpacked and think to ourselves, "Will this ever end?" This is the part I hate most about moving. I would rather take out only the essentials and leave everything else boxed. I hate unpacking. I can pack boxes all day long, I love it! (I think it's the OCD.) But when it comes to undoing all that work, it makes me cringe!

The hardest part is no matter how well you've labeled each box you're still wandering around the house with the same puzzled expression on your face asking, "Have you seen...?" Then receiving the answer that you dread, "It's in the brown box marked...!" Really? Because I wouldn't have guessed it was in the BROWN box! Slowly but surely we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel of cardboard and poppy paper. We have two, almost three, of the most vital rooms completed. (the living room, bathroom and kitchen!) My sister helped me out with the bathroom. I was quickly losing my motivation and was glad she came over last night to help!

I wouldn't dare post pictures of rooms filled with boxes. In fact I refuse to even document that. So, once every thing's done I will get pictures up...once I find the brown box with my camera!

Week 29: To pee or not to pee...

Baby's development in pregnancy week 29: If you’ve been feeling butterflies moving around in your belly, it’s not just your run-of-the-mill pre-birth performance anxiety. No, it’s your amazing baby with a case of the hiccups: a fairly common occurrence at this point resulting from practicing breathing for their big birthday. In addition, to getting a round of butterfly-like hiccups, your little swimmer has arduously managed to accumulate enough baby fat to account for nearly 3.5% of their overall body weight. Yeah, compared to we adults, it’s not a lot, but when they’re little like that—it’s certainly a healthy (and warming) accomplishment in its way. Another fantastic accomplishment: your baby's spleen is now in charge of hematopoiesis—the 10 dollar name for the process involved in building up certain important blood components. Another fantastic-accomplishment: your little monkey has been peeing into their amniotic sac for a little while now (this is why potty training takes a while) and if you didn’t know, actually swallows it along with the rest of the amniotic fluid. Although the concept is nasty, their urine is sterile and as part of the amniotic fluid base, is replaced several times throughout the day. So if you didn’t know before, now you can tell people, that yes, you drank your own urine—you were still in the womb, but nonetheless, you’ve been there.

How your life's changing: Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

While experiencing all these beautifuls symptoms of pregnancy, I just try to remind myself that I prayed for nearly three years for all of this! Thank you God for my little miracle!

Week 28: Why, you look positively bovine!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 28: You know how you’ve been feeling a bit like a barn with legs? Well, that feeling won’t subside before… well, you know, when you finally give birth. For the time being, you’ve got yourself a baby in the business of collecting fat and lots of it! In spite of the dubious joys of being a human-barn, this baby fat business is very serious and you’ve got to put up with it because it’s going to keep your little porker warm and healthy after birth. Other good stuff from inside: their eyes are doing lots of blinking this week because they’re now able to respond to light and dark. Also, their industrious little bone marrow is now a major construction site for developing red blood cells, while their super-cute adrenal glands are actually producing androgen and estrogen—which will stimulate your hormones to begin milk production. Can you say, “Moo?”

How your life's changing: You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. If you're like most women, you'll gain about 11 pounds this trimester.At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits. Depending on your risk factors, your practitioner may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't yet had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the 3-hour glucose tolerance test. And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your caregiver if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.

"Love Song" by Third Day

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promiseI
t has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary

Chorus:
Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
But I walked upon the raging sea

Repeat chorus

(Bridge) I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.

Just to be with you, I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you, I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away.

"Because that's how much I love you!"

Some of you may recognize this post from my blog on MySpace, which I have since deleted. I heard this song again and was reminded of my previous post. This song is definitely an oldy but goody! So here's a rerun of that blog.

Today I was listening to an old song today, and when I mean old, I mean circa 1996. It was "Love Song" by Third Day. Anyway, this song reminded me of a sentence that Michael and I have shared between one another for years that we say rather sarcastically. "Because that's how much I love you." For example: "I really don't want to do this for you, but I'll do it anyway. Because that's how much I love you." It's never really said out of heart felt love. Always full of sarcasm and jest.

How much do we truly love that special someone? Or anyone special in our lives. Do we expect too much of them? Do we not expect enough? I'll admit my expectations for Michael can sometimes be set too high for any human man. As I'm sure he can say the same. I realize that I can't expect him to "swim the deepest ocean" just to be with me. And I certainly can't expect him to sacrifice his life for me so that I may not die. Romantic, yes! Realistic, no.

But there is one person who has done that for all of us, without us even asking. Christ. He died for our sins so that we would not have to. He took the punishment of the scourging, crown of thorns, and being hung on a cross without question. He felt pain that no human man could have withstood. I realize that Easter has come and gone. But know that we are to be reminded year round of what happened on Calvary and at His tomb three days later. All of this...

Because that's how much He loves us!

Week 27: I'm a survivor, I'm gonna make it!

Baby development in pregnancy week 27: Your not-so-tiny-anymore brilliant baby(about 2 pounds and 14.5 inches long!) is slowly rotating in preparation to “head out.” Obviously, this doesn’t happen overnight, but when you start to feel an unfamiliar pressure on your cervix, you’ll know you’ve got a fully flipped baby locked and loaded for the countdown to their birthday! Even now, at the beginning of the third trimester, their little lungs are already capable of breathing air while the pulmonary vascular system can provide sufficient gas exchange and the central nervous system can generally regulate rhythmic breathing as well as their basal body temperature. For what it’s worth, at this point in a healthy pregnancy a premature child (with intensive care) could easily win on the show: “Survivor: The Early Years.”

And how's mom doing? You’ve worked hard, done your research, endured a plethora of joyless symptoms and would like nothing more than to have wonder-baby on the outside. Well, dig in for the final endurance round and say hello again to the familiar but not-so-lovable faces of fatigue and nausea. You guessed it, the dratted hormone factory is once again running at full-tilt (and causing rapid hair growth), sigh…. Your (“yaaaawn”) fatigue stems from several factors, including the proverbial weight gain, shortness of breath and of course, sleep deprivation. (See week 29 for tips on how to alleviate fatigue!).
Yes, ladies, you’ve finally reached the infamous “live-on-the-toilet” stage. Your feet are bigger, your breasts are bigger, your belly is bigger, even your baby is bigger—and something’s gotta give. Annoyingly, nature didn’t choose your butt and instead opted to compress your bladder, which is now being completely squashed by your-super-sized-baby... all day long. So your best shot is to just accept the fact you’re going to need to urinate every 10 minutes (and if you manage to go longer, thank the good lord).
Of course breast tenderness is also very common at this phase as milk production is kicking in. Other thrilling third-trimester symptoms include more swelling (known as edema) and feeling like you live in a sweat factory as a result of increased basal body temperature. Thank your baby: this temperature increase stems from their body heat coupling with your own, which of course all adds up to one hot mama!
Just in case you don’t have enough things to stress out about: we’d like to remind you the third trimester is really a time to kick your baby-on-the-outside preparations into high gear: baby-proof the home or apartment, buy a car-seat, get a stroller, dress up the nursery and plan a space for diapering, keep mulling over possible names, and try to enjoy this time… when you’re not nauseous, constipated, running to the toilet, or just plain wiped out. (And don’t forget to get your sleep, be active, and eat well! Phewee! we're tired just thinking about what you're going through!)

Syncope

1 call to 911 & an ambulance ride: $$$
1 CT scan of the head & chest x-ray: $$$$
1 EKG and blood work: $$
knowing that my husband is in fact healthy as an ox: PRICELESS

Michael and I had planned to finish out our registry at Babies 'R' Us with my mom on Saturday. We headed out looking forward to lunch at Freebirds and picking out a crib and other baby stuff. As we are nearing our exit Michael tells me he's feeling very light headed. I kinda blow it off thinking, he's just hungry. (He also has a flare for drama when he's sick. Just like most men! LOL) As we exit and come to the light he's breathing even harder and is stressing that he feels very nauseous and that he is going to pass out. I'm noticing he's not just being dramatic and tell him to put the car in park, get out and switch seats with me. My pregnant butt climbs over to the driver's side praying he doesn't puke in the car. As the light turns green I make my way through the light and force myself over in front of people into a gas station all while pushing my husband off of me who has become more limp and breathing even harder. I can barely put the car in park as he opens his car door and lays his head over on my shoulder at which point he goes completely limp! I'm pulling on his shirt as his body is sliding out the door. My mother jumps out of the backseat outside to Michael. (OMG! Michael has just passed out! What on earth is happening?!) I run into the gas station for some water. When I come out my mother is telling me to call 911. Michael is white as a ghost and his lips are blue. She slaps him to wake up. All he does is moan. He's barely responding to her slaps and yelling at him. (What is happening to my husband?!)

While I was on the phone with 911 four or five people stopped to ask if we needed help. All kinds of people! People from every race and economic background. I say that because just when you start to doubt our society, when they see someone in need, they really aren't all heartless. As I'm listening to instructions on the phone my heart is pounding as I hear sirens getting louder. My mother is still in Michael's face yelling at him to respond in some way. He is breathing very lightly but barely a word uttered, his eyes closed. A woman gets out of her car to flag down the ambulance and then she drives off. (Thank you whoever you were!) The paramedics get there and sit Michael up. Asking a million questions when all I want to do is just wrap my arms around him and cry. My mother keeps me strong and helps the paramedics make sense of my ramblings. They manage to get him on the gurney and into the ambulance.

After getting some vitals we head to the hospital, Mom is holding my hand reassuring me everything is okay. When I get to his room I can finally see that Michael's eyes are open and he's coherent. He's answering questions and joking with nurses and paramedics. When he sees me, he apologizes. For what I'm not sure. I guess he saw the fear and worry. Once we get papers filled out and blood drawn we've finally calmed down and had a chance to sit and cool off. What just happened? How did we end up here so fast? What's going on with my husband!? Michael relaxes and closes his eyes again but just as he's dozing the doctor walks in and gets a history again and asking what exactly happened. For the third time we tell the story and he walks out. Several tests are run. As each hour passes Michael's looking better and better. Mom and I quietly pass the time talking while Michael sleeps.

Four hours from the time I call 911, we are leaving the hospital. What was the diagnosis you ask? Syncope. The doctor comes in and says every test they ran came back absolutely normal. The patient is perfectly normal and he has no medical explanation to what happened. All he can say is that Michael has experienced a "fainting spell". What!? All those tests and you have no explanation? Don't get me wrong people. I'm glad nothing was wrong. It was just all so scary to be told that he simply passed out. Michael in all his humor comments to the nurse, "There has to be a more manly way of saying it was just a fainting spell." She said the official terminology is syncope. So he strongly repeats the name and convinces himself that that sounds much better. As we're leaving the hospital he continues to try and convince me he's okay enough for Freebirds. Sadly, I had to let him down and convince him that Chik fil'a would have to do.

Needless to say, we had a very exhausting and eventful Saturday to top off our exhausting and eventful week. Now I somehow have to convince my husband that he needs to follow up with a family doctor, which by the way he doesn't have. Why haven't I been more persistent about that in the past?!

We are moving in two weeks ladies and gentlemen. Lets pray that there are no more fainting spells for anyone! Sorry Michael, I mean episodes of syncope.

I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who stopped to ask us if we needed help. All but one of them had their phones in their hand ready to call for help. Thank you so much Fort Worth, Texans really do care about each other!

Anyone up for a game of Cups?

I'm not sure what has possessed me to post this video. I just stumbled across it. It's a great song and the game is a lot of fun too. I've played it with a large table full of people. Weird I know. Enjoy!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

I know it's been a little while since I've last done one of these, so here goes:

Somehow I think the baby's safer in the fish tank. Give him a snorkel and he's good to go!

I mean, just look at that dog. You know what's on his mind.

Dinner.

On the road again!

Two posts in one day! What is this world coming too? :o)

I've been meaning to tell everyone that Michael and I are finally moving to Waxahachie. This all happened so suddenly, which is why I'm just now posting about it. Michael is happy that his commute to work will be shortned dramatically. And luckily mine won't increase all that much. We are so excited and a little stressed at the same time. I'm such a control freak it's been very difficult knowing I'm very limited on what I can do. But I guess that's where the supervisory position could be fun! I can also be a little bossy. At least I can admit it people! Where's my clipboard and headset?! :o)

It all started a few weeks ago when we came home to see a for sale sign in our front yard. We called our landlord to find out what was going on, seeing as how he failed to inform us. He told us not to worry. (He doesn't know me!) Well, Michael and I decided that was the push we needed to really start looking for a house in Waxahachie. We were going to wait until after the baby was born but we took this as a "sign". No pun intended. Well, I started scanning the classifieds in the Waxahachie paper for rent homes. I came across a few but with three dogs, they all but laughed at me. Finally I came across one that we thought might work for us, but we were afraid would be too small. We met with the owner and toured the house. We loved it! We filled out an application and gave her permission to do background and credit checks. (Her husband is a cop!) Anyway, she called us up and said the house is ours if we wanted it. We of course jumped on it and will be moving in the weekend of June 20-23. (Anyone got a truck and trailer?) One thing we were especially happy about is the owners said they'd be open to selling it if we decided to go that route one day. Funny thing is, Michael and I had actually said that to each other after looking at the house. So, who knows!

It's a two bedroom home with hardwood floors in the living and dining rooms. It only has one bathroom, which will be an adjustment, but it has a garden tub and the shower head comes from the ceiling. Perfect for Michael! The house is equipped with all of the appliances so we will be selling ours. (Extra cash for a new couch maybe?) It is on a large lot with a fenced in backyard for the dogs. The backyard also has a nice wooden swingset and the front porch has a swing. I've always wanted a porch swing. One beautiful luxury is that the owner of the house owns his own lawn service so we will be receiving free lawn care every couple of weeks! SWEET!! Once we get settled we will post pictures for everyone.

The most exciting thing about all of this is how much closer we will be to all of our family. Especially with the baby on the way. While the distance is nothing like it was in years past it still makes it hard for get togethers at times. Especially with the cost of gas on the up and up! My mom lives in Italy which is only 30 minutes away. (Travel time cut in half!) My brother and sister live in Waxahachie with their new spouses. (I'll have to try hard not to bother them too much! *grins*) My dad, stepmom and youngest brother live on the outskirts as well as my grandmother. (Within minutes of us!) Michael's parents live in Kirvin which will now only be a 45 minute drive. (Travel time down from two hours! We are very happy about that!) I also have a cousin who lives in Corsicana with her family. And another cousin who will be moving to Ennis at the end of June with his wife and new baby. (Have you pulled out your maps yet?) We've also been attending church in Waxahachie for some time now and feel like we may call it home pretty soon. This has been an absolute blessing for us both. Somebody pinch me! We couldn't be any happier. Well, until Daniel gets here! :o)

Anyways, I have spent way more time on the computer tonight than I'd like to admit. Catch you guys later!! :o)

Week 26: Eye see YOU!

Here is my first official belly shot.







Daisy then decided she wanted to be a part of the photo shoot.

Baby's development in pregnancy week 26: At long last, your little swimmer can see the womb! Your miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this (or maybe it already happened while you were brushing your teeth or watching Oprah or something). In addition to seeing their little studio in your belly, they’ve recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no” in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth. This is also the time where your little super star’s head hair is starting to grow! A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head. Also, their toenails have grown in and you little raisin continues to slowly pile up fat beneath their still-loose skin. Most importantly, brain tissue and neurons are all developing at a rapid pace, increasing their (genius-level?) brain activity and will continue to function at accelerated levels for the first seven to eight years of childhood!

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Week 25: Turn it around... and around

Baby's development in pregnancy week 25: Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back. All that hard work and conscientious living is really getting your child prepared for a healthy delivery. Keep up the fabulous work mama! This week they’ll be scootching slowly out of the old breech position and start rotating (already!) into a better position for exit during their birth. Their head and feet are slowly rotating so that the head is pointed down towards the birth canal. Time is short (or really long, depending on who you ask)—just (still!) 14 weeks left before you can go back to being a single-resident human.

And how's mom doing? Trimester two is finally almost over, which means you have that one final trimester of pregnancy to enjoy (and suffer through). You could celebrate this landmark passage by purchasing some piece of clothing designed to make your curvy body look as gorgeous and classy as possible... and don’t let the Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back price tag stop you, this is an act of self-love not book-keeping. But before you max out your credit card, remember: you’re only going to get larger, so buy smart. Speaking of larger, you’re obviously carrying more weight now and your back is going to let you know. Don’t let this get you down or make you feel like a weakling—it all comes with the territory of being preggers. Try to practice good posture—it will alleviate some of the back fatigue as slouching is actually harder on your back. It’s also common for women to experience leg cramps during this period. Go ahead, strong arm someone who loves you into giving you a massage. Or if you're lucky enough to have the extra bucks, head to a spa that specializes in pregnancy massages and get the full-treatment.
You may have already noticed that your hair seems fuller, thicker, more plentiful and darker-- especially your body hair. There are two basic reasons for this: 1) you're shedding much less (head) hair than you usually do and 2) your body's hormones contribute to the way your body hair is growing right now. Not to worry, all the hairiness will return to normal after you've delivered your baby.

Please pray for the Chapman family!

This is an article from the website of Steven Curtis Chapman. For those of you have never heard of this man, please check out his website at www.stevencurtischapman.com. He is an amazing Christian artist whose life has not only been dedicated to sharing Christ through music but through his own ministry starting Shaohannah's Hope. Please check it out and continue to pray for this family while going through this tragedy.




MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME

NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles

Week 24: Breathe baby, breathe!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 24: This is another big week for your magical growing baby! Just take a look at the checklist for this week: 1) ears: done; 2) fingernails: done; 3) (if you have a boy) testicles: taking their 3-4 day trip from the abdominal wall to the scrotum; and 4) lungs walls: secreting “surfactant”. What’s that? Well, surfactant is sort of what it sounds like: a surface-activated fat whose main purpose is to assist the your baby's little lungs during inflation (as in, filling with air, not getting more expensive). Just in case you’re curious, your submerged baby is still breathing in amniotic fluid, preparing and rehearsing the lungs an oxygen-filled life outside the womb. By the end of this week, your child will be weighing around 2 lbs and 14 inches long. Your cutie-patootie may even be a little more plump, but isn't anywhere near their full baby-fatted cute-self. Most of the “filling out” is coming up in that long awaited (and slightly dreaded?) third trimester. Woo-hoo! Get ready!

And how's mom doing? Your little one is moving (spinning, kicking, pirouetting, shimmying, and maybe even doing a bit of the Can-Can) so much these days that if you invite your friends and/or family to touch your belly there’s a good chance they’ll get a milder sample of what you’ve been experiencing . You’ve may have We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” experienced the oddity that is strangers who feel a protruding pregnant belly is public property and a silent invitation for belly touching. We recommend taking the belly-touching calmly and if it really offends you, just say something like: “I just fell in a large vat of anthrax.” Or perhaps something a little less aggressive, like, “Please, at the very least, ask me before touching my body.” Still, there are many women who enjoy sharing this touching ritual with others. Find your comfort zone and good luck with the rest.
Scary stuff you should be aware of: The danger of getting preeclampsia (a.k.a. Toxemia) during pregnancy is significantly higher and is characterized by significant swelling of the hands and face, excessive weight gain, blurry vision with severe headaches or abdominal pain. Obviously, swelling is common during pregnancy, but should be monitored closely, and sudden ongoing swelling to the hands and face could be a concern. Talk with your physician for more information. Preeclampsia can also be diagnosed by high blood pressure and the presence of certain proteins in your urine. Again, high blood pressure alone does not mean you are affected, but it might be something you and your physician will want to/need to monitor throughout your pregnancy. Preeclampsia can prevent the placenta from receiving enough blood, thus depriving your baby of essential nutrients and lower oxygen levels, possibly resulting in low birth weights and other problems. There are several websites dedicated to preeclampsia education such as: http://www.preeclampsia.org/.

FUN TIMES!

Michael and I were so busy this weekend that I am just now able to blog about it. We were constantly on the go with so many activities. So bare with me, it’s gonna be a long one!

Friday
We went to the Rangers game with the family for my Dad’s birthday. We had so much fun! It was such a good game. Michael was disappointed that the Astros lost. It turned into a homerun derby almost. My brother David gave Michael a hard time the whole night. The food was excellent. When we first arrived I told my sister-in-law Natalie, “If you see the hotdog man, tackle him!” I had a foot long hot dog with a pickle spear. Actually, two because Michael didn’t want his! YUMM. Even though I’m not very big, it got more difficult through the night trying to stand and cheer every time we scored. My dad got a big laugh watching me trying to get up and cheer or do the wave. David thought he’d be funny and warn me each time the wave was coming our way so I could get a head start! We were so tired when we got home, I don’t even remember going to bed. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! LOVE, RALPH!














Saturday
Natalie worked real hard to give David a surprise birthday party. Since his birthday isn’t until May 25th he was clueless. She surprised him with a new charcoal grill. Everyone brought whatever meat and drinks for their family and the fixings were provided. David did the grilling and was enjoying every bit of it. We got to catch up with a lot of family we hadn’t seen in several months. That of course was fun. Especially for me because they hadn’t seen my round tummy yet! So they enjoyed rubbing on it occasionally. I love it when the family does that. It’s almost like they are giving Daniel a little hug. Sappy I know! We were the last one’s to leave about 4, I think. We were so exhausted. I think it’s mostly from being up so late the night before. We got home around 5. I laid on the couch and crashed! I woke up every now and then to see the Rangers game. They beat the Astros again! Next thing I know it’s midnight and time for bed. YIKES!














Sunday
It was senior recognition at church. My little brother John is graduating from Waxahachie high school. I feel so old. They received a gift bag with a bible and did a little slide show of childhood pictures. I couldn’t tell for sure, but I think my dad shed a few tears. How sweet! After church, Michael and I had an appointment to check out a rent house there in town. It wasn’t for us. So, our search continues. We went to Marble Slab afterwards and gorged myself on a banana split. As the guy handed me my dessert I noticed some ice cream starting to drip off the side, so I licked it. There was a lady standing next to me in line that saw this and giggled. She then looked at my belly and said, “You are just precious.” I smiled and said thanks. Whatever lady, I’ve got ice cream get outta my way! Later that evening was John’s baccalaureate service. Thankfully it was short and to the point. (Unlike this post!) Afterwards we all went over to Dad’s and had some of Lisa’s amazing brisket. And Dad graciously shared his pickle stash. Needless to say, I was so full of food by the time I got home Sunday evening. By the way, the Astros finally won today!

Congratulations to Michael & Corsicana HS Choir

Corsicana HS choir earns top honors at event

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - Corsicana High School’s choir students received the Overall Outstanding Ensemble award last weekend at their annual spring contest, the highest honor a school can achieve.

The 12 CHS students earned a Superior Rating and were also honored as Outstanding in Class by the judges, all of whom serve as UIL judges.

“Being such a small group, it’s sometimes hard to keep a strong unified sound, but they did just that,” said CHS Director of Choral Activities Mike Huffstetler. “Overall, I feel the trip was a success, and is a good primer for not only recruitment, but building a larger and stronger choral program in Corsicana, not just CHS.

“While most schools who attend these contests steer away from classic UIL literature and perform more pop-based repertoire, we went the opposite route, performing one of our UIL pieces by G.F. Handel, an English Madrigal, and what can only be described as a jazzy tune with strong choral elements. I don’t believe in what many consider ‘fluff’ music, instead opting for pieces that will help the students grow musically.”

The students who participated in the contest included: Nathan Horton, Jon Castleman, Arely Avila, Jamoya Thomas, Leah Ribaul, Randy Woods, Taylor Horn, Sarah Schmidt, Nidya Guevara, Shannon Beasley, Kati Tibbits and Alexis Aguirre.

Week 23: Dancing baby alert!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 23: At this point you’ve pretty much adjusted to the fact you’ve got a moving little gymnast inside of you, but now they’re going to kick up the party a notch because they can hear and react to sounds from the outside world. Sounds from your alarm clock, a thunder roll, or that darned car honking at you across the intersection can actually jar their little ears enough to elicit a kick or violent bout of squirming. Of course this also means that their little ears are picking up the sounds of your voice and those near you. So go ahead, sing a lullaby to your little angel—if they start kicking, it’s likely they just want you to stop… or maybe it was a kick of approval? You decide. Your baby's tiny taste buds are still growing and their bones are continuing to ossify (harden), their tiny veins are visible through their translucent yet wrinkly skin. (Think of it this way: they’ve been swimming in the equivalent of a long hot bath for the past 23 weeks, so you can’t blame them for being a little prune-like.)

And how's mom doing? If no one warned you about the joys of the pregnancy-sleep-challenge, you’ve probably already started to discover just how difficult it can be to find adequately comfortable sleeping positions. The good news is: some people actually invented pillows specifically designed to give a pregnant woman if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active! a better chance of sleeping through the night. There are a variety of different designs, but inevitably you’ll want some sort of belly support as well as a body pillow between your legs and under your belly to relieve a bit of the discomfort you're sure to be experiencing right now. If you choose to buy the (rather spendy) pregnancy pillows they've got on the market, make sure you keep the receipt as some women still have problems sleeping and fare better with their own unique pillow collection and set-up.
As if there's not enough to keep track of already, are you remembering to drink lots of fluids? Plenty of good ol’ fashioned H20 (water) can help reduce swelling in your poor ankles and feet-- resulting from the pressure your now over-sized uterus is putting on your pelvic veins, thereby slowing fluid circulation to the lower half of your body. Also, if you want to further reduce the dreaded appearance of pregnancy “cankles” (calf-ankles) try to avoid sitting for long periods of time—and for the hundredth time: don’t forget to stay active! Keeping your fluid intake up is also good for your little resident swimmer as dehydration is frequently connected with premature birthing. Yep, it’s a lot of responsibility, but you can do it! You’re almost two-thirds of the way there already! Keep up the good work mom!

Your pregnancy: 22 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound. Her skin will continue to appear wrinkled until she gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers her head and body is now visible. Her lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath her gum line. Her eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and her pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

And how's mom doing? Take a moment to think about this: your uterus has now stretched to such unholy proportions that it extends beyond your navel! The not-so-exciting part of this remarkable fact is that growth like this tends to leave stretch marks and can itch like nobody’s business. If it makes you feel any better, Don’t get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream stretch marks on the belly are extremely common. Don’t get suckered into buying really expensive creams that supposedly make stretch marks ‘magically disappear.'Stretch marks are scars on your skin and won’t disappear with a topical cream . But feel free to apply all the aloe-vera (and other anti-itch lotions) to alleviate the itching. In terms of preventing their appearance, cocoa butter-based creams and creams full of Vitamin E have a reputation for helping-- but there's still no guarantee that those pesky stretch marks won't show up despite your best creaming-up efforts.
Also, your doctor may offer you a glucose screening test sometime in the upcoming weeks. The test checks for a high blood sugar condition that some women are susceptible to during pregnancy. At most, 5 percent of women actually test positive for this problem, but if you do, you will probably have a few more follow up tests to be sure. If you end up with a positive test, make a plan with your physician or nutritionist for treatment. Untreated, the high sugar content in your blood enables the overproduction of baby fat for your little one, and often results in overly high birth weight which can induce premature birth and/or the necessity to deliver via cesarean.


I have a few interesting points to add to this week's update. As of last Monday, Baby James is already measuring well over a pound! And is making his presence known more and more. Especially during church. I guess he appreciates a good preaching. Also, I have already discussed the possibilities of having a large baby with my doctor. And not because of poor diet or high blood sugar. It's already a family joke that I'll be giving birth to a toddler. For those of you who don't know, here's a little birth history. I weighed 10 lbs. 3.5 oz. My darling husband weighed almost 12 pounds! ENOUGH SAID!!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

If it's Baby Einstein, it HAS to be good, right?

The sonogram pictures!

These are all of our sonograms from the very beginning.

Sorry this has taken so long guys!

This first picture was done on 1-8-2008.

We were only five or six weeks at that point and couldn't see much of anything.

All we could see was the "sac" and this little dot resting inside. It was from this first encounter that we started referring to the baby as "Baby Dot".

Because the first sono was so hard to see the doctor had us come back on 1-22-2008 to do the official confirmation. At this point we got to see and hear the baby's heartbeat.

It was the most amazing feeling. All I could do was cry. There really are no words to describe the feeling the first time you hear that sound!

These next prints were of our appointment on 4-28-2008. They are listed in the order they were shot. The reason I specify that is because the doctor said that before determining the sex he starts from the top and works his way down. He checks everything else out first to make sure the baby is developing okay.

The moment the paddle hit my belly, this is what we saw. A full moon!

Needless to say we got to see the baby's sex before anything else. I had my mom on the phone so she could hear everything going on. She was just as shocked as we were. Here's her reaction: "What! Are you sure?!?!"

The doctor got a good laugh! While Michael and I were giving each other high-fives.

Someone at work suggested I have a coke before my appointment so I could see some activity. I loaded up on candy apple rings and a cherry coke. The doctor had to wake the baby up by pushing on my belly! Once he got him moving I got a swift kick in response.

Here's his foot!

We then checked out all the major organs and saw that everything looks great. We saw the kidneys, heart and the umbilical cord that goes up through the body. The doctor tried to get a face shot. He was so snuggled in that he couldn't get him to cheese for the camera. But he did show us his ear!

Towards the end of the appointment I started asking the doctor lots of questions and just going back over a few things. Michael asked one last time, "So everything looks good?"
The baby gave us the thumbs up.

Here are some pictures I've been meaning to post.

This one's for my friend Candi!

Frito kept bringing me his Maverick's basketball while I'm trying to watch the Ranger game.

I hate basketball!

I need to find him a baseball.

While helping my sister pack for her big move, we ran out of bubble wrap. So, my mom decided to use styrofoam plates instead.

She was very proud of herself!

FYI: The piggy bank made it through the move unharmed!

Week 21: Look Mommy, I'm dreaming!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 21:Your beautiful little miracle-gro baby will be putting on a full ounce and a half this week (and weighing up to 16.5 ounces), but that’s just the beginning! Within the next five weeks, they’ll really be packin’ it on! For now, we’re pleased to report the addition of rapid eye movement (REM) a key component to any healthy baby’s sleep schedule. While in the dermatology department: their thin soft skin is very red, rather translucent, and a bit wrinkled. Not to worry, it’s not a premature aging disease. It's just their clever little body setting them up with extra space that will smooth out once your little one starts packing on the baby-fat. That won’t be for a few more weeks, though. So for the time being, your munchkin is still a little lean mean growing machine! The beginnings of what is commonly called “brown fat” is just starting to fill in to help your baby retain some body heat, which is crucial as they’re not yet capable of regulating their own body temperature.

And how's mom doing? We’ve hit trimester two and you're in full-swing pregnancy mode. Most moms are feeling pretty good right about now. Funnily enough, you may already be noticing some mild uterine contractions—don’t panic, this is completely normal. Actually, your uterus contracts throughout your whole life—only now determining the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents, that’s not the point. You're going to love your little one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog that there’s enough pressure on the uterine muscles you can feel them more distinctly when they contract.
If you’re still deciding whether or not to buy gender-specific clothing, it’s time to bite the bullet and head in for an ultrasound... unless you’re not the planning type. Now that we have the technology, it’s fairly obvious to modern couples that determining the sex early on makes it easier to plan ahead, prepare the nursery, inform the family and purchase the right colored cigars. Of course to some parents, that’s not the point. You're going to love your little one whether they've got a cheeseburger or hot dog. Really though, many couples enjoy the suspense and choose to leave the sex as a final surprise. Talk with your partner and figure out what feels right for you. Just keep in mind that once you know, you can’t turn back!

OMG!! Looks like everyone (Except Jerrod) was wrong!!!

Got back from the doctor just now, and looks like we got ourselves a little man on the way!! And I mean there's no mistaking it's a boy. Dude has like a freaking third leg! He's going to make his old man look bad! And he knew he was the man already. Gave a thumb's up for the camera like, "Oh yeah. Who's the man?"

Other than the obvious, everything else is going great. Heart's in good shape (one of my biggest worries). Digestive tract looks good. Brain looks AWESOME!! This kid's got a huge lunchbox head, and a brain that fills it up!! Hopefully he'll be smart like me (and his momma!). I just hope he gets his momma's good looks or he doesn't stand a chance!

Just from what I was able to see on the sonagram, his dexterity looks pretty good. Fingers and toes are pretty well formed, and he's active as all get out. I blame the cherry coke and sour apple rings Libby had today. At one point during the show, he started scratching the right side of his head. The eerie thing was that I was doing the same exact thing at the same time!!

Initially, I, like everybody else was expecting a girl. This surprise is not disappointing in the least. In fact, I now have a greater sense of pride in responsibility in bringing up my son the same way I was brought up: To be a responsible man, who treats a lady properly, and most importantly loves the Lord and all He provides.

Thank you Lord, for giving me this son to carry on the Huffstetler name and legacy in Your name and Yours alone.

Word.

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

While this may seem like a good idea and will
DEFINITELY get the attention of a
star athlete, orchestra conductor, or high school graduate,
using a compressed air horn can cause severe damage or deafness.

Unless they're already deaf, then blow away!!

Week 20: Congratulations, you now have a mini-baby!

Baby's development in pregnancy week 20: This week you're carrying about 10.5 inches and 10.5 ounces of solid baby-miracle-goodness! Their little delicates bones continue to ossify and toughen while their itsy bitsy finger and toe pads are finishing up. Your little monkey now has teeth buds, although they’re hidden beneath the gum line. And finally! Their limbs have reached their relative proportions—no more alien baby! Their cute pink lips are more defined, and might be helping out in a bit of prenatal thumb-sucking. If you have a little boy, then their tiny testes are descending, though they have not yet passed the abdominal wall. What’s more, eyelashes and eyebrows are also visible. At this point, your little one really looks like a miniature baby—and we do mean miniature as your little swimmer currently weighs a mere eighth of their final birth weight. With half the pregnancy behind you, the most significant gains are yet to come!

And how's mom doing? Not that we need to tell you, but your baby may sometimes seem like a kick-boxer in training with no appreciation for your exhausted-pregnant-momma sleep needs. Still, before you start yelling at them to calm it down in there, remind yourself that your busy baby really have no idea if you’re rolling If you have already enrolled in a Lamaze course, consider coupling it with either a swimming or yoga course (or both!) out of bed or cozying up to your partner for a good nights rest. Unfortunately for your sleep schedule, your little independent thinker will continue to operate on their own time table throughout the rest of the pregnancy. And you thought rebellious behavior only started around puberty!

Parental Baggage

This Sunday the preacher was finishing up the series "Baggage" with the sermon "Parental Baggage". I immediately looked at Michael and thought in my head, "I'm not wearing waterproof mascara and I am sans Kleenex." I'm sure everyone has experienced some sort of "baggage" in there life. The pastor had three women up on stage interviewing them in a sort of talk show method. Each woman had different experiences with their fathers. The first had an amazing childhood. Her dad was her hero and was the model she used when dating and later married. The second had a great childhood also. But when she was an adult, her dad decided to leave his marriage of 38 years for another woman. In this process he "walked away from the pulpit, his faith, and his family". She has now been trying to rekindle her relationship with him these few years. The third and final woman had an alcoholic for a father. He was physically there but not really there. He was physically abusive to her mother. And emotionally abusive to his kids. Eventually her mother kicked him out and he dropped out of their lives.

Listening to these women brought up a lot of memories and feelings from my own childhood. Silently I wept as I listened to the happy and sad stories told my each woman. Surprisingly I found something in common with all three. The main focus was how parental baggage affects not only your childhood but also your adulthood. It affects how you handle all relationships. Especially your marriage. As I can speak with experience. It teaches you how to fully trust and share with those you love. Your parents are your example! As I'm sitting there listening I'm thinking of my own personal struggles with baggage and the healing process you have to go through. Someone asked me, "What did Michael say to you that helped you through it." He didn't. It was all God! He's the only one that can fully meet my needs. All Michael could do was sit by and remind me constantly how much he loves me and that he was not going anywhere! Going through that process helped me depend on and trust Michael more. I love him and trust him more everyday! Especially now that we are expecting our own.

I sat there thinking how happy I was that I have complete faith and trust in Michael. I was at peace knowing that while he may not be a perfect father, he will be the father God wants and expects him to be. The father that I pray he will be. I also pray that I will be the mother that God wants and expects me to be. I pray for the faith and wisdom for us both to guide this child down the path to God. And look forward to seeing what will come.
I've unpacked my baggage and moving forward, no looking back!!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

I don't know what's so wrong with this picture.
Mom looks like she's having fun.
Baby looks like he's having fun.
What's the problem?

Week 19: The poop factory is now open

Baby's development in pregnancy week 19: Your amazing little baby is now around 10 inches in length! If this seems a bit shocking, you’ll be relieved to know they’ve not actually grown over 3 inches, but that their little legs are now straight enough to be measured. This is when doctors begin measuring growth from head to toe, (no longer “crown to rump” or CR). Lanugo (little hairs) covers their whole body now, trapping that charming cheese-like vernix caseosa (see week 18) to the surface to the skin. This week your lil’ babe will start on an appetizing diet of amniotic fluid which they are now capable of swallowing, digesting, and passing the fluid as far as their tiny “large” intestines. Fortunately for you, this nice little lump of baby-poop won’t be coming out while they’re still in your womb. Some time shortly after they’re born, this fun lump will become the first in a long line of baby poops. (What finally comes out— commonly known as “meconium” to the science world, will be black and sticky, and you’ll be very glad it happens only once!)

And how's mom doing? Unlike generations of women before you who were taught pregnancy was practically an ailment (10% of women DID die in childbirth back then), we now have scientific evidence that exercise is a good thing when you’re pregnant. In fact, most physicians recommend continuing or starting a pregnancy-friendly proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during labor exercise regimen. Walking, running, swimming, weight training and yoga (see week 20) are all good for your heart and overall physical stamina during this physically challenging time. Not to mention proper exercise can do a lot towards increasing your overall flexibility (at a time where your body wants to stiffen up) thereby somewhat reducing the pain and tension during labor. Last but not least, exercise can keep you from gaining unnecessary amounts of weight (which you’ll have to fight off later after birth if you don’t do it now). Obviously, you’re going to want to avoid sports where you are at risk of falling or being hit in the stomach. Basically, stay away from sports like basketball, volleyball, soccer, and skiing. Instead, opt for the pool, weight room, and/or yoga class. We’re not saying you should stress yourself out trying to be a world-class athlete, but if you’re eating right and getting enough sleep, exercise during this health-critical phase of your life, will keep your collective energy levels higher and increase your feeling of well-being, as well as ensuring that you and your baby are in top physical and mental condition.

It's funny... sometimes I have to remind people that I'm only pregnant and not handicap. Not that I don't appreciate being pampered now and then. Until I'm laid up in stirrups, when I see that something needs to be done and I'm capable of doing it, move over!

On the move!

We've got some catching up to do!

Michael and I went to the Ranger game on Friday with David and Natalie. We had such a good time, even if they didn't win. I'm pretty sure Baby Dot had fun too! In the seventh inning someone hit a homerun. (I can't remember his name.) We of course were very excited and screamed and hollered. When I sat down I could feel this overwhelming movement. I looked excitedly at Michael. I wasn't 100% sure if that's what it was. Was it the dinner I inhaled at Sonic? Or it might have been the half-eaten bag of cotton candy. I sat there with crowd yelling around me and said to myself. It has to be the baby.

Me: Michael, I think I can feel the baby!
Mike: What? (It was very loud!)
Me: I think I'm feeling the baby move! (Louder now.)
Mike: Are you sure?
Me: I think so?
Natalie: What's the matter?
Me: I think I'm feeling the baby move.
Nat: (Squeal of joy!) Are you serious!?!?
Mike: What's it feel like?
Me: It feels like she's doing somersaults in my tummy.
Nat: Can you feel it on the outside or just the inside? (As she reaches over Michael to feel.)
Me: Just the inside! Oh my goodness I want to cry!

I was so excited. David said later that night before we left their house. "Since you felt the baby move tonight that must mean she's a Rangers fan."

I'm also thinking Baby Dot may or may not be a fan of the preacher. Michael and I finally went back to church, after a couple weeks of backsliding. It was obviously a sermon we were supposed to hear. I feel like he did it just for me. The series is on Baggage. This week is was emotional baggage. At one point the preacher was getting a little bit louder and I felt a very distinctive kick. There was definetely no mistaking that move! I'm not sure if Dot was saying "amen" or "quiet down, I'm trying to sleep".

Lastly, Sunday night as I'm getting settled into bed I'm reading and have a set of headphones on my belly, per Michael's request. (Michael has loaded a huge list of music into his mp3 player that he wants me to play for the baby. It's a mixture of Christian, Classical/Choral, and his favorite movie soundtracks. Star Wars anyone!) Well, I'm laying there and I began to feel a thumping or tapping on my belly. I wasn't sure if it was Dot or the headphones. I pick up the headphone to see if maybe I have them up too loud and the "speakers" are thumping. But they weren't. Again, it was Baby Dot. It is so amazing that go from not feeling anything to a weekend of movement!

Our God is an awesome God and has created this amazing baby for us!!

Week 18: Your cute little greased piglet

Baby's development in pregnancy week 18: We have two more ounces! Your "getting bigger-n-better by the minute baby" is already up to 7 ounces and 6 inches! This is a big week for their baby skin. There are now two distinct layers—the epidermis (or the surface skin) and dermis. Currently, their skin is covered with a greasy, waxy, cheese-like substance, known as vernix caseosa. Sure, it sounds pretty nasty, but this mixture of fatty secretions covering your little swimmer from head to toe is the best way to protect their oh-so-thin skin from bruising and abrasions as well as chapping caused by amniotic fluid exposure (and your little one is swimming in that stuff!). Still don’t like the fact your little darling is currently slathered in fatty cream like a greased pig? Well, you know the birthing process? Where you have to push something the size of a watermelon out a hole the size of a grape? That adorable little greased piglet would have a lot harder time getting through the birth canal without the vernix caseosa. Fun fact for momma’s with baby girls: it’s a uterus within a uterus! Your little girl will have developed a uterus and vagina canal by the end of this week.

And how's mom doing? POP! If you haven’t yet, you will soon be seeing the last of your inn-y belly button—until after you’ve pushed your little monkey out. If it’s getting difficult to breathe, you can thank your not-so-small belly for squishing your lungs—which will be more and more cramped for space as the pregnancy Keep in mind that as you grow (and grow and grow) in size you produce more blood (for both of you), which lowers your blood pressure. So standing up quickly and/or occasional fast movements may cause slight dizziness or lightheadedness progresses. Not that this is surprising as everything else in your mid-section is getting properly squooshed as well. (What else is new?!!) Keep in mind that as you grow (and grow and grow) in size you produce more blood (for both of you), which lowers your blood pressure. So standing up quickly and/or occasional fast movements may cause slight dizziness or lightheadedness. This is totally normal, but means you shouldn’t be too quick to jump to your feet when your team scores a goal. It's better to just punch the air in excitement or clap gleefully. One more fun pregnancy symptom to add to the list: you are producing more melanin, which can cause dark patches of skin to occur on random parts of your body. Don’t worry—these dark spots (unlike your parent’s age spots) will retreat soon after birth.

Always thought this was okay until they got teeth.

Then it just hurts! OW!! Charlie bit me!!

Sad news: Kleenex warning

I'm very sad to say that our family has experienced the loss of a family member. My sister and her husband are enduring something no expectant parent wants to experience, the loss of a baby. On Monday night Barrett and Jennifer rushed to the ER to confirm their fears. She was in fact miscarrying at seven weeks. Tons of tears have been shed and lots of hearts crushed.

We as a Christian and believing family know that God is now holding that baby in His arms. And Jennifer will get to meet him one day. (She was hoping for a boy.) I detest the word "fetus" that the doctor used several times that night. We believe that beating heart was a baby and we are now experiencing the loss of a family member. We also know that this is not the end of the book for the two of them. Only God knows what's in the next chapter. We can only sit and wait to see what's next.

Sometimes we forget about the men in this situation. Barrett will need lots of love and prayer too. Please keep them both in your prayers. Also, pray for the surrounding families as we help them and one another with this loss.

Week 17: Grow Team Grow!!!

baby development in pregnancy week 17: Don't be too shocked but... your baby is EVEN bigger than it was last week, not to mention getting cuter, and smarter every day! As you’ve come to expect, there’s no shortage of growth and development this week: your fantastic little bean stalk has added yet another half inch to their overall height-- making them nearly half a foot long! Their little limbs have reached (or are within one week of) their relative proportions, and will continue to grow evenly with the rest of the body after this week. Reactive listening has begun for your baby, even though their ears are not yet structurally complete or fully functional. Meanwhile, different parts of their astonishingly complex brain are developing to process your little one’s hearing and other senses, (you know, sight, smell, taste and touch). Mind boggling factoid of the week: if you’re going to have a little girl, her ovaries have already produced millions of primordial egg cells, which, within a few weeks, will develop into actual eggs! Phew… just wait till she’s a teenager eh?