24

24 weeks!

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

Well, as fans of the tv show, Jack Bauer seems the obvious choice this week. A foot and a pound, that reminds me of yesterday on the way to Damon and Dylan's baseball game. Your foot pounded me right into the bone. I gasped out loud. : )

People seem to love seeing my little belly sticking out. I love it, too.
They've told me lately how much I've popped out, or how much bigger I'm getting. I say, "Thank you!". I know it'll only last a short while, and likely will never happen again. I still look in the mirror sometimes and can't believe I'm pregnant. (tee hee) We're due for another belly picture, since we're starting 6 months today.

I look pregnant for sure and I am starting to feel it more every week. My back has started to ache a bit. It's always been a weaker spot, likely helped out by my sway back. Sitting forward is becoming a more necessary position as well, with your constant kicking back. I'm hoping to start some prenatal yoga this coming week, which I think will be great for us both. I hope I can make that a priority amongst some of other responsibilities I have. I know my little village will help. <3

I love you little boy.
Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Sly Stone

23 weeks starts today. Let's get our groove on.

Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing his for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when she hears them outside the womb.

I often feel you kick when music is comes on, or if Reece and I are singing. No doubt you're getting some of our groovy genes.Dance to the Music seems so appropriate this week, and thus I'll call you, Sly Stone.

For you young 'uns, it was a hit in 1968 (the year of my birth) and one of the first songs put in the genre of psychedelic soul. Dig it! Also, it is number 223 in Rolling Stones' list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Just so you know, Fleetwood (1997 album entitled The Dance), Garth Brooks (The Dance), David Bowie (Let's Dance) were other name options this week. ; )
But tried and true I'm a Disco Momma, and so this week we will Dance to the Music.

Lord, thank you for music, for dancing, and for another day.

Textbook

22 week appointment was this morning. First one Daddy missed. He stayed home sick today feeling so terrible. But, he picked a good one to miss.

No sono this week, just sweet, sweet sounds of the heartbeat (150 bpm).
I measured on track, my weight is right on track (8 1/2 lbs to date), and I passed all questions with flying colors. Dr H said we were 'textbook'.

Textbooks usually sound pretty boring, but not to me. I know God put you there, little boy, and there is nothing in the med books about that. There is some stuff, however, in another book that I'd like to think Dr H is also noting. ; )

Thank you, Lord, for another day. Textbook or not, it has already been written in your book. I am grateful.

Emmitt

22 weeks.
We're football fans. On this week #22, you're Emmitt.
I'd say based on your brother and our genes, you've got better chance to be a 5' 9" running back than an over 6ft QB or receiver. And, you've got some great dancing genes from your great grandparents. Some even say mom and I have some moves ourselves. ; )

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

Squash reminds me of something that Darren says a lot. If I (try to) hold in my stomach, he says, "Don't squish my baby." It always makes me laugh.
Maybe I'll try something with spaghetti squash this week. I've always meant to try it. It says you're good year round. ; )

And speaking of round, we may need more frequent belly shots, as you can pretty much call me 'Lil Round' this week. ; ) I've already had to ditch 1 pair of pregger pants b/c they dug into you. I dig you, sweet boy, but don't want anything digging into you (or me either!) My belly button is flattening more every day.
And, earlier this week, I was unable to restrain a slight bit of air that escaped my body. Sorry, Lisa! Seriously, is that happening already? If you think it's TMI, then just consider it a warning. ; )

Thank you, thank you, Lord, for another day.

A Feeling

Your big brother felt you move tonight. Waaaayyyy cool.
He loved it and we loved it.

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

A visual

We can see you bump and thump my belly, little boy.
I have been able to see your subtle movements for a while, but it's easier for me as I feel them inside too. Now, Daddy can see them.

And boy, do you like to dance. Oh, yes, there IS much to celebrate. <3

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Braxton

Braxton and not the Toni kind.
Tonight I'm feeling Braxton Hicks for the first time. Feels soooo early to have them. But, I keep hearing how I'm somehow sensitive to my body, including these kinds of things. They don't hurt, but is a tightening around my belly.

Planning to drink some water and relax on the couch w/ my hub.

rejoicing and mourning

Sweet Millye passed out this bible verse last week on a little yellow piece of paper:

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15

It sits on my kitchen window sill and I read it multiple times a day, as I'm in the kitchen a lot. Each time I see it, I think about many of you and what you've been going through.There are so many hurting, struggling, and mourning, it overwhelms me. Ted, Alissa, Caren, Angela and your family, Christy (whom I met today), Kim, Angie, are just a few. At the same moment that I rejoice this little bean sprout, I also ache and mourn with you.

This past week, I learned of another miscarriage and now a new life growing there. ; )
I know so many others that have been mourning and are also now rejoicing. Know that when I think of you, I still remember and pray for your pain and yet also celebrate with what God has now given you. Some of you have continued following this little blog, even while going through what you have been. I'm sooo humbled by that.

And there are others that are rejoicing with a new life God has planted, or healing that has begun. I am thinking of you, and celebrating with you each day.

Although I may not be bringing meals, calling, and coming to visit as much as I'd like (or in some cases at all), know that my heart is with you. Daily I think of you, mourn with you, rejoice with you, and pray for you.

I'm rejoicing AND mourning.
Love you.
<3

Thank you, Lord, for another day.

Ty Bo

21 weeks!
Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

Ty Bo McDonald will be your name this week, as you are wiggling, squirming and kicking all throughout the day now. About 9-9:30pm, you consistently practice your taekwondo. Oh and about 30 minutes after I eat is more cardio-boxing time.

I'm feeling good these days. I've so enjoyed my some recent photography gigs, and can even still lay on the ground to shoot. ; ) Now, if I can just organize and manage my time to get the editing done, I'll be in great shape.

Reece has had a bit of a whiny week, which has made it a tougher one for both of us. But, I really treasure my time with him these days, knowing there will be a time soon when that will change sooo much. <3

Someone told me today that two is hard, and I told them I heard it is twice as hard. She said, "more than twice". Yikes. I am praying that the Lord prepare me for this time. I am also thankful for friends that I know will walk alongside me and my family. I pray to struggle well.

It is all worth it for this beautiful new life you will bring into our family, baby boy. You complete us.

I've been holding off getting your room ready, but it's been hard to wait. There is time. Maybe in another month or so...
but, in the mean time, thank you, Lord, for another day!

One of those moments

Today I had one of those moments.
I kept it quiet (and I think unnoticed), but it was a sweet one.

The room was filled with discussion about Job and his so called 'friends' who associated health, wealth, and prosperity with being right with God. Contrarily, they associated pain and suffering with sin. Since Job was suffering, he MUST have done something to deserve that.

Oh how I remember when we were trying to get pregnant with Reece, I thought maybe I didn't deserve a baby because of things I had done in my past. Praise you, Lord, that you are a God of grace.

I was listening to the discussion, but for a moment, there was another sound that I just closed my eyes and listened to. It was the sweet, sweet sounds of 4 babies cooing, gurgling, grunting, and babbling that caught my ear.

I remember the first few weeks at bible study so clearly, wondering why I was put in this group with soooo many newborns and pregnant women. God had brought me to a peace about not being able to have another child...but still, it seemed like a cruel joke.

Today, I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds, the very sounds that may have left me a little bitter months ago, fill me with something so different now.

My eyes pooled with tears as I felt overwhelmed with gratefulness.

Reece asked me last night with his head tilted slightly and his nose crinkled, "How'd that baby get in your belly?"
"God put it there, sweetie", I replied. (more on that later)

Thank you, thank you, Lord, for another day.