16 weeks and love

We're 16 weeks today and I'm excited, because that means in 4 weeks I'll be HALF-FREAKING-WAY. I don't even believe it. I pray we can find out the sex of the baby that week as well!

16 Weeks Development: Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Also, tiny bones in your fetus's ears are in place this week, making it likely that the baby can hear your voice when you're speaking (or singing in the shower).

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Also thinking of Molly, Abraham & children today as they remember their baby girl Felicity Margaret who would have been two years old today. Prayers and comfort with you as we remember!

15 week sonogram

Had an "unofficial" sonogram at Great Lakes Insitute today. I felt a little like a lab rat as the students were learning how to measure, find things, but it was amazing! It was thrilling to see this baby, with all the parts, moving around and just EXISTING in there! I still can't feel things so seeing the movement was incredible. At one point it was kicking and moving and reflexing all at once. So amazing. She showed me the face too but didn't really get a picture of it or the whole body at once, so we sort of ended up with a bunch of pics of different parts. Still awesome. There's really a baby inside me!!! It weighs about 5 oz right now! Couldn't tell the sex yet, but that's ok.

The first image is the baby waving to me, I'm convinced :) The last two are lower body shots.

Going to put 3 of them bigger here too.









hi everyone! :)

ticker

cute, dont know where to use it though :)

New Music, New worship

I've acquired a whole bunch of new music lately, including Matt Redman, Bethany Dillon, Jesus Culture, and some secular tunes Imogen Heap, A Fine Frenzy. I think hearing any of it at a later time will definitely remind me of this time in my life. This busy fall, this crazy time, this early pregnancy. Learning to trust God in new ways, finding His power in different places, relying on him for daily assurances.

Bethany Dillon put out a new album and one song in particular touched me with it's message and simplicity. It could apply to anyone, especially young women who are newly married, in love, or dealing with trying to find time to be with God aside from work, family, and other reponsibilities.

Bethany Dillon - Say Your Name
I'm trying to find a moment with You
These days are speeding by
This ring gives me a new point of view
I'm a dealer in my time
And if I can make a confession
My time is torn between
The man who has won my affection
And the God who made me

Oh it all looks different
But that doesn't mean anything has changed

Still I reach for You
When I am afraid
And this breath that comes from You
Helps me say Your name

I look at the life of Anna
Your presence was her home
I look at the life of my mother
Praying on her back porch

One day very soon
Face to face
I'll give an account of my time to You

exciting

Great Lakes Institute called me and I've got a free sonogram set up this Weds, Sept 16. I'll be 15 weeks. I can't wait to see what the baby looks like this far along!! I hope she/he moves around a bit so I can see the life!

14 weeks

Things are going pretty well, I've been feeling pretty good, IBS has been calming down a little bit but still bad at certain times. I have been feeling very tired the last two days again, napping on Sunday and sleeping for like 9-10 hours Sunday and last night. I'm not sure what is going on - maybe the baby is developing a lot right now and draining me! Who knows! Sunday I did a ton of housework in the morning early, which felt good, but then I think drained me later. I actually got up the energy to work out yesterday, did a mile on the elliptical and some weights. If I can keep that up, hopefully that will be good. According to my records, still no real major weight gain since the last few weeks!

I'm getting very excited to continue to be further along. Every fiber of my being wants to feel this baby move. Sometimes I sit and just try to concentrate, but I know it will probably be at LEAST 3 more weeks. I also called for a free sonogram to the Great Lakes Institute but they have yet to return my call which is annoying me because it's been almost a week.

One more weekend of double weddings, then a weekend off. I'm excited for that. Then only 5 more weddings and my season is effectively OVER unless I have anymore last minute weddings come in! I am praying for some graphic design work to come in and break up the winter!

Baby Developments at 14 Weeks:

Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

baby heartbeat

Here's a short audio clip from our appt today. She found the heartbeat very fast, as well as my uterus, saying "yep, its right there, it's like a little house." :-)



The appointment was great. The only concern she had was my weight gain, according to their records, I've gained 10 lbs. According to mine, only 5. I know. It's a discrepancy. So I don't know what to think, but either way I'll try to be careful with portions, and it's time to get exercise back in my life!