By today, heat-producing brown fat begins to form at the base of your baby’s neck, by the breastbone, and near the urethra - the tube that passes urine out of the body. Brown fat has a protective function: it helps keep the baby warm in cold environments. Brown fat exists in newborns, but only vestiges of brown fat remain to adulthood.
The baby sleeps and wakes as much as a newborn does now. When your baby sleeps, it characteristically settles into its favorite position or 'lie.' Some babies always sleep with their chins resting on the chest, while others tilt their heads back.
Over the next three days, fine scalp hair will start to form on your baby’s head. In the next three days, the vernix caseosa [the creamy protective substance on the surface of your baby’s skin] becomes noticeable.
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The baby’s movements are becoming stronger as the ossification process continues and soft cartilage is hardened into bone. Most women feel movement for the first time between weeks 19 and 21. Mothers who are slim may feel their babies move much earlier than heavier moms will. Feeling movement helps form the attachment or emotional bond between you and your baby that will last a lifetime.
August 12, 2010
July 21, 2010
Hamburger is here to stay...
Once upon a time in a red barn, not so far away, a tiny calf was born. The farmer, Levi, decided he should be named Hamburger. Sadly Hamburger's mother was sick and unable to feed him. Thankfully Farmer Levi was there to help him out. Farmer Levi, his trusty helper, Farmer Papaw Stanley, and many helpers were there to feed Hamburger 3 bottles, 3 times everyday; morning , noon and night. When Hamburger grew up just a bit, he was let out to pasture with the other calves but unfortunately the other calves were not so anxious to make friends. They were jealous of all the attention that Hamburger got from Farmer Levi and his helpers. Farmer Levi and Farmer Papaw decided that it would be best for Hamburger to go to a new farm.
After loading the cattle trailer, Hamburger was off to the stock yard to meet his new family. As soon as they arrived at the stock yard, Farmer Levi and Farmer Papaw struck a deal with a nice man wearing a yellow shirt. For $105, Hamburger would now belong to this man in the yellow shirt.
Farmer Papaw Stanley told Farmer Levi to choose a new cow to take back home with them. They needed a new cow to help celebrate Farmer Levi's 4th birthday. As herd after herd of cattle were shuffled through, Farmer Levi just didn't see the right one. Around the corner and through the gates came a familiar white faced, red calf through the corral. Farmer Levi said "That's it Papaw Stanley. That's the one I want." After casting the highest bid, $150, the calf was going home with Farmer Levi and Papaw Stanley. The man in the yellow shirt was happy to have made a $45 profit on his investment. That familiar face belonged to none other than Hamburger. He was going home to stay...
After loading the cattle trailer, Hamburger was off to the stock yard to meet his new family. As soon as they arrived at the stock yard, Farmer Levi and Farmer Papaw struck a deal with a nice man wearing a yellow shirt. For $105, Hamburger would now belong to this man in the yellow shirt.
Farmer Papaw Stanley told Farmer Levi to choose a new cow to take back home with them. They needed a new cow to help celebrate Farmer Levi's 4th birthday. As herd after herd of cattle were shuffled through, Farmer Levi just didn't see the right one. Around the corner and through the gates came a familiar white faced, red calf through the corral. Farmer Levi said "That's it Papaw Stanley. That's the one I want." After casting the highest bid, $150, the calf was going home with Farmer Levi and Papaw Stanley. The man in the yellow shirt was happy to have made a $45 profit on his investment. That familiar face belonged to none other than Hamburger. He was going home to stay...
May 20, 2010
DIVINE DESIGN
I love Candice Olson from the TV show Divine Design on HGTV but today, that phrase means so much more to me. I receive a newsletter each week telling me what is happening with this tiny little person in my tummy. I am in awe every time I open one. There are so many amazing things going on that it could only happen by DIVINE DESIGN! God is so amazing! I just had to share this.
Pregnancy Calendar: Week 8
The cerebellum, the area of the brain that coordinates muscle movement, is beginning to develop.
Your baby’s hand plates will appear by today if they aren’t already present. The elbow and wrist regions of the arm are becoming identifiable. The spleen (the organ that produces antibodies and removes worn-out red blood cells and bacteria from the bloodstream) is beginning to develop. The liver is now large enough to produce a bulge in your baby’s abdomen.
The palate continues to develop. The baby’s eyes look pigmented (eye color won’t be established until after birth). The jaw and facial muscles are beginning to form, but the eye muscles complete their development tomorrow. The baby teeth (or first teeth) are developing beneath your baby’s gums.
The hand plates will develop ridges indicating where your baby’s fingers and thumbs will be. As the process of forming the digital ridges continues, the baby’s hands will look like the shell of a scallop.
[By the end of this week], your baby will measure nearly 1⁄2-inch long (11-14 mm). It is so small it would fit into a peanut shell, and it weighs less than the whole peanut in that shell.
Pretty cool, huh?
Pregnancy Calendar: Week 8
The cerebellum, the area of the brain that coordinates muscle movement, is beginning to develop.
Your baby’s hand plates will appear by today if they aren’t already present. The elbow and wrist regions of the arm are becoming identifiable. The spleen (the organ that produces antibodies and removes worn-out red blood cells and bacteria from the bloodstream) is beginning to develop. The liver is now large enough to produce a bulge in your baby’s abdomen.
The palate continues to develop. The baby’s eyes look pigmented (eye color won’t be established until after birth). The jaw and facial muscles are beginning to form, but the eye muscles complete their development tomorrow. The baby teeth (or first teeth) are developing beneath your baby’s gums.
The hand plates will develop ridges indicating where your baby’s fingers and thumbs will be. As the process of forming the digital ridges continues, the baby’s hands will look like the shell of a scallop.
[By the end of this week], your baby will measure nearly 1⁄2-inch long (11-14 mm). It is so small it would fit into a peanut shell, and it weighs less than the whole peanut in that shell.
Pretty cool, huh?
May 15, 2010
Gone Fishing
Cole took Levi fishing last night. (Levi said that I was not invited because I am a girl.) They invited our neighbor, who is a boy, Bradley to come along. They roasted hot dogs over a fire and actually caught a few fish. Looks like they had a great time.
On a side note, Levi's latest comedic incident came from learning a new word. Cole was telling me that a Mennonite family bought a farm near our house. Levi asked "Daddy, what do they do in the middle of the nights?"
May 2, 2010
Our First Game
We had our very first weeball game yesterday. Levi was dressed for the major league and ready to play. The rain began as we gathered at the field but after talking it over with the other coach, we decided to play one inning. They had fun but were ready to get out of the rain.
April 28, 2010
National Infertility Awareness Week
Even though more and more couples suffer from infertility it is still a subject that isn't talked about. Those who suffer, do so in silence. Infertility leaves a feeling of inferiority and guilt. It is so frustrating to not be able to perform the task for which our bodies were created. There is little sensativity and even less for those of us suffering secondary infertility. I wanted to share our story so that others won't feel so alone. For some reason, there is strength in numbers. I wish that we had sought out others in the same situation. I hope our story will help those who haven't experienced infertilty to understand as well.
As most of you know by now, Cole and I are expecting our second child in mid January. It doesn't seem real to us yet. This baby is an answered prayer for us as we have been trying to conceive for nearly two years. It has been a very personal and private issue for us. When we decided to start a family, Levi came about with no problems. We made the decision to leave it in God's hands. Much to our surprise, four weeks later we were holding a positive pregnancy test. I had the picture perfect pregnancy with no complications. I did require a scheduled cesarean delivery a week past my due date because of Levi's size. (Our bundle of joy was a whopping 8lbs 13oz!)
We decided that when Levi turned two years old that the time was right for him to become a big brother. I saw my general practitioner and my OBGYN for full physicals. Everything looked great so I started the routine of eating very healthy, no caffeine, 64 ounces of water a day and prenatal vitamins. With each month that went by the disappointment grew stronger. At the six month mark, we had another visit with my OBGYN who assured us that we had won the baby lottery by getting pregnant the very first month with Levi. For the average couple, twelve months was normal. We didn't have any major changes or health problems since our previous pregnancy, so there was no cause for alarm.
As another six months ticked by there were two late periods. Home pregnancy tests said we were not pregnant but with fingers crossed we did blood tests only to discover the home tests were right. We were devastated. Along with hugs and reassurance, Dr Loofe decided it was time to take things a step further. Another six months (18 months total)of charting temperatures and a stock pile of pregnancy tests but we were still a family of three. It became obvious that I was not ovulating regularly. Before agreeing to fertility drugs, there were more tests to do.
All tests came back clear so our two options were ovulation inducing medication or a laproscopic surgery. We opted to take the medication over surgery.
Never telling each other, we both were letting go. This was the last thread of hope. With tear filled eyes and shaking hands I took the first doses. There were so many questions "What if it didn't work? and the side effects?" or "twins?" We did everything just as the doctor ordered and once again we have hit the baby lottery after only one round of the ovulation inducing medication, chlomid. With giggles, tears, hugs, and kisses, Cole and I shared that moment. It has been such a long journey that we were afraid to allow ourselves to be excited. It still feels like a movie or a dream. With appointments scheduled and multiple test taken, its really happening. We give God many thanks for our gorgeous healthy son, and now our new baby. We have learned that His timing doesn't always go by our timeline and that's okay. We ask that you pray for our family as our last journey has ended and a new one begins.
The few people that we decided to share our struggle with didn't understand. Their well meaning comments only made things worse. I thought that I would scream if I heard "Well its just not the right time." one more time. Others tried to make us not want a baby so much by pointing out how much harder two babies would be. When a child was abused, neglected, or aborted, it made us ask "Why?" So many people, just to make small talk, ask "When are you going to have another one?" but it was gut wrenching to have nothing to say except "Someday." We even had lectures that, for Levi's sake, raising an only child would be a mistake and we totally agreed.
If you know someone who is suffering from infertilty the best thing that you can do for them is listen. Leave the advice to the professionals. You would be amazed what a hug and prayer can do.
As most of you know by now, Cole and I are expecting our second child in mid January. It doesn't seem real to us yet. This baby is an answered prayer for us as we have been trying to conceive for nearly two years. It has been a very personal and private issue for us. When we decided to start a family, Levi came about with no problems. We made the decision to leave it in God's hands. Much to our surprise, four weeks later we were holding a positive pregnancy test. I had the picture perfect pregnancy with no complications. I did require a scheduled cesarean delivery a week past my due date because of Levi's size. (Our bundle of joy was a whopping 8lbs 13oz!)
We decided that when Levi turned two years old that the time was right for him to become a big brother. I saw my general practitioner and my OBGYN for full physicals. Everything looked great so I started the routine of eating very healthy, no caffeine, 64 ounces of water a day and prenatal vitamins. With each month that went by the disappointment grew stronger. At the six month mark, we had another visit with my OBGYN who assured us that we had won the baby lottery by getting pregnant the very first month with Levi. For the average couple, twelve months was normal. We didn't have any major changes or health problems since our previous pregnancy, so there was no cause for alarm.
As another six months ticked by there were two late periods. Home pregnancy tests said we were not pregnant but with fingers crossed we did blood tests only to discover the home tests were right. We were devastated. Along with hugs and reassurance, Dr Loofe decided it was time to take things a step further. Another six months (18 months total)of charting temperatures and a stock pile of pregnancy tests but we were still a family of three. It became obvious that I was not ovulating regularly. Before agreeing to fertility drugs, there were more tests to do.
All tests came back clear so our two options were ovulation inducing medication or a laproscopic surgery. We opted to take the medication over surgery.
Never telling each other, we both were letting go. This was the last thread of hope. With tear filled eyes and shaking hands I took the first doses. There were so many questions "What if it didn't work? and the side effects?" or "twins?" We did everything just as the doctor ordered and once again we have hit the baby lottery after only one round of the ovulation inducing medication, chlomid. With giggles, tears, hugs, and kisses, Cole and I shared that moment. It has been such a long journey that we were afraid to allow ourselves to be excited. It still feels like a movie or a dream. With appointments scheduled and multiple test taken, its really happening. We give God many thanks for our gorgeous healthy son, and now our new baby. We have learned that His timing doesn't always go by our timeline and that's okay. We ask that you pray for our family as our last journey has ended and a new one begins.
The few people that we decided to share our struggle with didn't understand. Their well meaning comments only made things worse. I thought that I would scream if I heard "Well its just not the right time." one more time. Others tried to make us not want a baby so much by pointing out how much harder two babies would be. When a child was abused, neglected, or aborted, it made us ask "Why?" So many people, just to make small talk, ask "When are you going to have another one?" but it was gut wrenching to have nothing to say except "Someday." We even had lectures that, for Levi's sake, raising an only child would be a mistake and we totally agreed.
If you know someone who is suffering from infertilty the best thing that you can do for them is listen. Leave the advice to the professionals. You would be amazed what a hug and prayer can do.
April 25, 2010
Kite Flying
We had terrible storms yesterday and last night but before the rain set in, we had a chance to teach Levi to fly a kite for the first time. He was more interested in the fact that it was Spiderman than he was in making it fly but he was pretty proud of himself once he got it up.
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