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?

Pickles? Seriously, how cliche!

Well I got my second batch of blood tests back and everything came back normal. **SIGH**

That is a big relief for both of us. Not that the results would have changed our mind about the baby. We're just glad that's one less hurdle for us to get over. Next month we find out what the sex of the baby is. We have a poll up for everyone to vote. Please do so we'd love to see other people's predictions!

Also, for some reason I am slowly getting away from my Spanish rice and beans craving and have moved on to pickles. Seriously! Although I'm sure Michael will be very grateful I'll be backing down on the beans. You know the old bean tune? Well, it definitely rings true when you're pregnant. I'm just saying!

One last thing: A PERFECT STRANGER TOUCHED MY BELLY TODAY!
I'm barely getting used to the idea of my family doing that. When family members have reached to touch my belly it didn't bother me. I love my family and I'm glad they are just as excited about the baby. It makes me laugh a little when they touch me, but I feel the love just the same. Michael and I went to Subway tonight. Of course I asked for tons of pickles! The cashier reached over the counter and touched my belly! "You're eating for two right? Then you deserve the foot long!" Seriously! You didn't touch the fat woman's belly that just left, she ordered a foot long too. What made it okay to touch mine! For those of you who don't know it, I'm a "this is my space, that is your space" kinda gal. Maybe I should get these t-shirts I found online!

• "I am not Buddha. Do not rub my belly."
• "Unless you helped put the baby in here don't touch my belly!"
• "Rub my belly and I will barf on you."
• "You can touch my belly if I can punch your face." (Extreme, I know, but hilarious!)

This last one is my favorite and would only be perfect if our suspicions of our little one are true!

• "Yes, I'm pregnant. It's a girl. I'm due in September. No, you can't touch my belly!"

Michael's ParentingTip of the Week

If your in to having a face full of vomit, then by all means, chunk you baby in the air like a basketball.

Your pregnancy: 16 weeks

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Random Easter pics

We went to Michael's parent's on Good Friday. His mother taught me how to cook chicken fried steak. I didn't burn anything and it tasted great.

Don't worry folks, Michael has the fire department on speed dial!






The gratuitous flour on nose shot.

I had to look like I was working hard! Really his mom did most the work. She is an awesome cook.










Baby Dot's first Easter basket. It also had treats for Daisy, Gretchen and Frito inside the eggs.

Thank you so much Uncle Dave, Aunt Nat and cousins Reba and Cowboy!










Michael and I cheesing for the camera.

We needed an updated picture of us. It’s been a while! Sorry no belly shots. Although my mom did take a picture that made me look seven months pregnant rather than just four!







Gran playing with Reba and Cowboy.

These are David and Natalie’s “kids”. My mom always loves playing with the grand-dogs. It’s just dirt and slober. It will wash off!







You ate my roll you dirty rat!

Funny thing at lunch!Cowboy ran up to Michael’s tray and snatched a roll right off! It was the funniest thing. Michael just couldn’t believe it. Natalie’s dad commented as if he was Cowboy, “next time, I’d like some butter!” Michael ate like an inmate the rest of the time protecting his food. I think he’s still bitter!








What’s it gonna be?

We went to visit my Memaw for a little bit. She has been dying to do the needle test to predict the baby’s sex. Of course we had to give her a hard time about it. I kept blowing the needle everywhere. You’re never too old to get slapped on the hand by your grandmother. Even if it’s just a tap!







The needle says…

Girl! Michael of course gave his two cents. “I didn’t need a needle to tell me that. I told you, Jesus told me we’re having a girl.” What a goober.

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

Sorry it's late. Was at Mom and Dad's most of yesterday!

FEEL THE BURN BABY!!! FEEL THE BURN!!!

15 week doctor appointment

I had another doctor appointment today. It was very quick. He checked the heartbeat of course and everything sounds great. The heartbeat varied from 146-154 bpm. He said that was a very good beat but it can't determine the sex, no matter what anyone else tries to say. LOL Sorry to disappoint.
We also took blood to check for things like Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis and etc. I will admit that going into the appointment I was a little apprehensive because of the screening. Michael and I had already decided that no matter the results we of course would continue with the pregnancy. We just pray that everything comes out okay and that He continues to watch over us during this journey. My next appointment will be April 28th to determine the baby's name! We are so excited to find out if we are having a boy or girl. Let's pray they aren't too shy and are ready to introduce themselves!

The Lyon pride expecting an addition!

Barrett & Jennifer Lyon

July 28, 2007

Now that all the important people have been told, I'm happy to announce that my sister and her husband are expecting their first! God has blessed them with a big surprise. The word surprise can't even begin to describe hers and every one's reaction! I don't have any details yet except that her first appointment is April 9th. I do ask that everyone say a special prayer for her. Every pregnancy needs prayers, but especially this one! She's my baby sister (25 yrs old) and very special to me. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be pregnant with. Although, I have been told that sometimes pregnancies happen in threes. Is it still too soon, Natalie? **WINK**

I've included some pictures. Some sillier than others.

LOVE YOU JENN!

Michael's Parenting Tip of the Week

This just makes me hungry for a Turkey Leg.

And apparantly because of this hearty diet of large poultry, the baby above has learned to defy gravity!