35 Weeks

Not sure how frequently I'll be able to post for a while. Our computer is on the fritz right now. The PSU (power source unit) has decided that it's time to die. We can still get it to work a little but it makes this awful burning smell that fills the room when running. Fortunately, since it's only the power source, we won't loose any of our data. We just don't have power to the unit. So, until we can either get a new one or replace the computer, I won't be posting very frequently. If some big news happens regarding the baby (or anything else for that matter), I can always post from my phone. It's just annoying trying to write anything of length on that tiny little screen.

Litl B doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he/she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in there, he/she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he/she kicks should remain about the same. The kidneys are fully developed now, and the liver can process some waste products. Most of the basic physical development is now complete — the next few weeks will be putting on weight.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 35 Weeks 1 Day

Total Weight Gain: 9 pounds. This is an area I'm really struggling with. My midwife still isn't concerned since the baby is growing but I just sometimes wonder if everything is all right. I struggled to put on weight with Dayson, but nothing like this one. I keep gaining and losing the same 2 pounds. BJ says I'm eating more with this one than I did last time so I'm not sure what's going on. I'm leaving it in the Lord's hand as He knows what's going on. Please pray that I won't worry so much.

Maternity Clothes: I've got several maternity shirts that are starting to get short. Not to mention, because my belly is so round with this one, my pants don't want to stay where they're supposed to. Frustrating...

Best Moment This Week: Having a nice quiet anniversary and Christmas. BJ's mom took the kids for two nights, it was such a blessing.

Gender and Name: Names are picked out and the clothes are all ready. Now it's just the waiting game to see what gender Litl B is.

Movement: About the normal amount. Had a little scare Christmas morning when I didn't feel anything for several hours. The only thing we can think of is this little one turned towards my back which made it difficult to feel anything.

Food Craving: None, too much heartburn.

Sleep: I average a few hours each night. I get up at least twice for a bathroom break and sometimes I just need to walk around for a bit before I can crawl comfortably back to bed.

Symptoms: Lots of braxton hicks and more pains this time around than I can remember having last time. Definitely still having rib pain since this little one is sitting up so high.

What I miss: Walking more than a few feet without any discomfort.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Have my midwife appointment this week. Looking forward to hearing this little one again.

33 Weeks

Two pregnancy posts back to back! Guess that's what happens when you get so far behind on one of them. Not much new to report here. Getting anxious to finally meet this little one. To think that I only have a month and a half left is just crazy. Technically, I have four weeks until I'm considered "full term", though I've heard they are changing that number. In any case, it's coming up quickly.

This week Litl B weighs a little over 4 pounds (kind of like a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He/she is rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and the skeleton is hardening. The bones in the skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him/her to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a cone-head like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his/her brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Total Weight Gain: 9 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Maternity... is there anything else that will fit over this belly?

Best Moment This Week: Getting some good sleep while taking a nap.

Gender and Name: Obviously we don't know, but I have my suspicions. Can't wait to see if they're right.

Movement: This week the baby has been into stretching. The problem is, there's no room so it makes things really uncomfortable.

Food Craving: I almost had a craving though I think I would call it just a strong desire. Eggnog...haven't had any for a long time and seeing it in the store because of the holiday season has made me want some.

Sleep: Since I'm getting down to the final weeks, I'm giving up on getting a good nights sleep any time soon. If this little one ends up anything like Dayson, I'm looking at at least the next 19 months of getting up through out the night.

Symptoms: Ribs are still sore. The most uncomfortable thing that's hit hard this week is heartburn. Wish that wasn't a symptom of pregnancy.

What I miss: I know what I'm going to miss, being pregnant. As much as I'm ready to be done, knowing this is the last child that I will probably carry, it's bittersweet.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Making it through another week with this one inside of me.

And because I like to do comparison pictures on occasion, here's one of me at 33 weeks pregnant with Dayson along side this weeks picture. I wouldn't say that I'm a lot I'm bigger this time around (though it kind of looks like it) but I'm definitely carrying this little one up higher and out front more. Funny how each pregnancy is different.

Week 32

It's been a busy week! Along with church activities, a little boy who woke up with a fever and doing my first session of senior pictures, I haven't had a lot of time to play catch up on the blog. Christmas is coming up soon, though this year, my mind is distracted with baby stuff and trying to get things ready around here. Why is it when you're pregnant, things around your home just aren't clean enough or smell right? I don't normally get into a nesting mode, but this time around I'm feeling the urge.

By now, Litl B weighs about 3.75 pounds (a large jicama, otherwise known as a Mexican yam) and is about 16.7 inches long. Most women are gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to the baby. In fact, he/she will gain a third to half of his/her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he/she fattens up for survival outside the womb. There are now toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His/her skin is becoming soft and smooth as it plumps up in preparation for birth.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 32 Weeks 4 Days

Total Weight Gain: 9 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Maternity... is there anything else that will fit over this belly?

Best Moment This Week: Having the opportunity to do pictures for a special young lady.

Gender and Name: Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl. We'll share the name then!  ☺

Movement: Lots of wiggles and hiccups. This child gets hiccups like Iyana did while I was pregnant with her, several times a day.

Food Craving: No cravings, not even in my typical mood to bake.

Sleep: Was hoping this week would be better. Between the usual getting up for the bathroom run and stretching my back, Dayson has been up and our neighbors haven't been the quietest. Finding that nap times are the only chance I get to make up for all that.

Symptoms: My ribs hurt. Not where I popped the rib out of place, but all along the front. This little one is sitting up a little high and is constantly pushing on anything that gets in his/her way which most of the times is my ribs.

What I miss: Breathing normal and sleeping.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Spending some time with friends this week and getting some rest when I can.

Thankful

Feeling very thankful right now. When becoming a parent, you want what's best for your children. If there's any sort of illness or physical problem, you try to fix it in anyway that you can. When Dayson was born, we noticed that his legs curved in quite a bit. Not thinking much of it since most newborns have that, we never said anything to the doctor and since he didn't seem to notice it, we thought things were fine. Fast forward to when Dayson started walking shortly after 9 months and we really started noticing again how much his legs were bowed. When he had his first year check up, I asked about it. Again, the doctor didn't seem concerned since he hadn't been walking that long. He said to keep an eye on it and if things didn't improve by his next appointment, we would talk about it more.

They didn't improve, in fact, it seemed like at times it got worse. When Dayson's 18 month appointment came around back in March, I talked with his doctor again about him not being able to walk completely normal due to him being bowlegged. Not only was his walking affected, he was falling over frequently because his ankles were weak as well. It never seemed to bother Dayson, but as his mom, I only wanted to fix it for him. The doctor referred us to an Orthopedic specialist who agreed that Dayson did indeed have some problems with his legs. After taking a good look at him and moving his legs in all different directions, he decided that he wanted to wait six months before doing any treatment such as braces or specialised shoes to see if he would grow out of it by himself. Wasn't really the news I wanted to hear as I wanted to see immediate improvement. We live in such a fast paced world where everything (well, almost everything) can be fixed with a click of the button or you can have something right now. That's what I wanted. I hated seeing my little boy struggle with falling over frequently.

God had other plans though and gave our doctor the wisdom needed in how to approach Dayson's problem. It was a lesson in patience and trust for me. Patience is so hard when all that you want is your child better. I'm thankful though for God's many lessons in our lives, even when He has to teach them to us over and over. He never gives up on us.

Here's a video of Dayson that was taken before his 18 month appointment. At one point, you can see where his leg and ankle just give out on him and he falls over. Like I said, it never seemed to bother him and for the most part, he was a very happy child.

Just recently, we went back to the specialist for the follow up appointment to see if he was improving. As soon as the doctor walked in and without moving or testing his legs, he started saying right away that Dayson looked so much better. The results after the testing? He doesn't need braces or specialised shoes! When he had Dayson stand straight with his feet together, he was only able to place one finger in between his knees (the specialist is a big guy too with large hands). Last time he was able to place three fingers in between. When checking his feet and ankles, he said that there was only a 10% inward turn to them now compared to the 25% that it was last time.

Praise the Lord for this improvement! It's so hard not to worry when it comes to your kids. I'm so thankful that God has not only been healing Dayson's legs but also working in my life to trust Him more everyday with all that I have.

Here's a picture that I took today. Can you see the improvement in how he stands? So much better! And yes I know, he wasn't at all thrilled for me to be taking his picture.

Thank you Lord for Your many wonderful blessings in my life. Thank you for being patient with me as I have learned to trust in You more. And most of all, thank you for the wonderful children that you have given me to raise!