Today is the 20 week mark in this pregnancy, so we are at least close to the halfway point to meeting Owen face-to-face! We are so excited to make it to this milestone!
He has been more and more noticeably active lately, and it is so neat to feel him wiggling. I felt Elijah weeks earlier, closer to 14, which was crazy, but with the placenta's location, everything was more noticeable and uncomfortable. This time the flutters were more faint and felt more seldom until just this last week or so, when I even felt him when my hand was resting on my belly. I love that feeling and it just never ceases to amaze me.
Our email update today said he is probably close to the length of a banana, and weighing approximately 10.5 ounces. The big kids love having an idea of his size, so it's fun to let them know that weekly. They never fail to ask! My leg cramps have increased a little bit, and I'm feeling a little larger and more awkward, especially trying to get out of the bed in the night to walk off a cramp. Overall though, I'm feeling good, with good energy. We even did a ton of yardwork this weekend, which I was so thankful about, though I was not as happy the next day when the poison oak started breaking out all over. The weather has been so nice these past few days, and that energizes all of us to be outdoors more, and we are loving that opportunity.
I'll have another appointment next week to see how things are going and look forward to that. We'll keep you posted! Happy October!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
18 weeks
Here's what is happening with little Owen now:
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born.
Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Ponderings, premonitions, perfect names
I have mentioned how I have struggled throughout this pregnancy, just accepting it was real, though genuinely thankful to be given another opportunity to have this experience. It has seemed to go by quickly, and I guess due to the scare at the beginning when we weren't sure it was a viable pregnancy, I have just hesitated to get comfortable and couldn't assume that things would just be perfect today. I didn't feel dread, or fear, really, but just came to acknowledge yet again, how very much each life is a gift, and not to be assumed or taken for granted.
Thursday morning before the ultrasound, I really felt it was important to pray that we would happily receive whatever baby God planned for us, and I didn't mean a girl or boy. I have just gotten irritated lately when folks say well-meaning things like, "It doesn't matter if it's a girl or boy, as long as it's healthy." Of course, we all desire healthy children, but saying that sounds like we don't want the baby if it's not perfect. We know from personal experience, and many professional ones on James' part, that God can bless even through a baby who isn't perfectly formed in the world's eyes. Instead, we prayed a lot lately that we would be the right family for whoever God placed with us, and that that baby would be exactly who our family needed to care for. It's been amazing to hear even Isaac and Abigail pray similar things, especially Abi, when she has longed for a sister so much. When her prayers changed recently to asking God to give us the baby He wanted to, whether it was a boy or girl, I knew she was really learning and growing through all this.
I'm thankful for this journey. It's been so different with each baby, as any mom will say, I'm sure. Our becoming parents to Isaac, through fostering, and then adoption, was unique, mostly simple, and full of excitement and an easy adjustment. He already seemed like family, and just adapted to our home so well. The process of his being put into our family's life was so God, and how we were able to adopt him just still astounds me.
After years of trying and waiting for Abigail, my pregnancy with her was joyful and emotional. I was so amazed that I was actually finally carrying a baby, and so soon after becoming a mom to Isaac, that it was just incredible. She came a bit early at 36 weeks, but was perfect and healthy.
Then, we had several more years of waiting before Elijah. That was a painful process, of just being surprised at how hard it was again to feel that longing and not know if it would be fulfilled. The pregnancy was more difficult, and ended with bedrest, a placental abruption at 36 weeks, and a near-emergency C-section, so we were beyond thankful he just made it here fine. He was big and healthy too, and super laidback and snuggly.
We were just settling into life with these 3 when we were shocked to find out we were pregnant without trying to be, and so this pregnancy has been more full of doubts than the others. I think we are so used to the waiting and hoping that must give us time to adjust to enlarging our family, and without that this time, we have felt like we are playing catch-up emotionally! :-)
There has been this undercurrent in my thoughts that this baby may have issues, and that may be due to his iffy start - the concern over whether there was even a baby forming, and the joyous news when we found out he was there. But, I went into yesterday so prepared that even though I knew I was really pregnant, that we might hear something we haven't before, like the baby was sick or not developing normally, etc. When the tech told me as far as she could tell, he looked perfect, I really was overcome. It was just too much to take in. I hadn't cared really whether it was a boy or girl, and that statement just further reminded me how little the gender mattered. I know God asks some families to take on extra challenges, or face loss, after supposedly routine appointments like mine, and I just marvel that we have been so blessed to be given another healthy baby. I know things can change too, with the healthy of anyone in our family, and just appreciate the great health we have been given, and don't want to take it for granted. It's a blessing from Him, for sure.
So, the premonition part isn't about my psychic ability. :-) It's just neat how I felt like God gave me a glimpse of something this week before the appointment Thursday. Like I've mentioned, we have prayed and prayed as a family, for this baby's health, and who it would be, and how we wanted to be the right family for it. My only concern about whether it was a boy or girl, was related to Abigail, who has been so serious in her prayers for a sister, even before I was pregnant. James was even worried some that if the baby wasn't a girl, that she would feel disappointed in God. I was encouraged as the weeks have progressed, at her maturity and acceptance of God's plan, and not ours. I still was just praying that God would let me know ahead of time if he was a boy, to be able to comfort her and she was sad, and so I didn't show sadness for her, which I thought would upset her if she was really doing o.k.
Well, Wednesday night, before the appointment, she wanted to read at bedtime to me. I was tired, but agreed, wanting time to snuggle more with her, and talk about the next day. Isaac and Elijah were already asleep. She then chose a book to read, and it literally gave me chill bumps. I just smiled inside, and knew God had given me an answer. The title of the book was the only boy name we'd liked and had decided on as a family. The name for either sex would start with an O, and our girl name for months had been Olivia Hope. The only boy name that began with O that we really liked was Owen, and that was the sweet story she picked out that night. It's a precious story, and after she read it we talked about our baby, and prayed again for him or her. I asked her to please remember God knew who we needed and told her even if she was a little sad, that I hoped she could trust that God was doing the best thing. I felt like she was really peaceful about it all.
So, the next day during the ultrasound, I held her hand, and once we saw him, she just squeezed it, and smiled, and never wavered. I was so very thankful. I think if she'd looked disappointed, I would have cried for her, but she didn't. Her sweet spirit proved that maturity I'd prayed and hoped for, because even though she felt a little disappointment, she quickly focused on the fact that the baby looked great, and was who God decided we needed. There was no sad face or tears, and within no time, she was snuggling me and talking to her new little brother. I am so grateful for that. And, she quickly reminded me of his name and has talked about him ever since, with great joy. The big brothers are great too. Elijah snuggled on me during the ultrasound, and kept looking at the screen, and back to my tummy, saying, "Baby!" like he was making the connection somewhat. Isaac was thrilled, and said, "Finally, another boy!" to which we all shook our heads and reminded him we just had another boy.
Please pray for little Owen as he continues to grow. His name means "mighty warrior," and from the beginning of his life, he has had to fight just to prove he existed, so we think it's very fitting. We also pray he will be a strong man of God someday, whose faith will lead him every step of his life.
Thursday morning before the ultrasound, I really felt it was important to pray that we would happily receive whatever baby God planned for us, and I didn't mean a girl or boy. I have just gotten irritated lately when folks say well-meaning things like, "It doesn't matter if it's a girl or boy, as long as it's healthy." Of course, we all desire healthy children, but saying that sounds like we don't want the baby if it's not perfect. We know from personal experience, and many professional ones on James' part, that God can bless even through a baby who isn't perfectly formed in the world's eyes. Instead, we prayed a lot lately that we would be the right family for whoever God placed with us, and that that baby would be exactly who our family needed to care for. It's been amazing to hear even Isaac and Abigail pray similar things, especially Abi, when she has longed for a sister so much. When her prayers changed recently to asking God to give us the baby He wanted to, whether it was a boy or girl, I knew she was really learning and growing through all this.
I'm thankful for this journey. It's been so different with each baby, as any mom will say, I'm sure. Our becoming parents to Isaac, through fostering, and then adoption, was unique, mostly simple, and full of excitement and an easy adjustment. He already seemed like family, and just adapted to our home so well. The process of his being put into our family's life was so God, and how we were able to adopt him just still astounds me.
After years of trying and waiting for Abigail, my pregnancy with her was joyful and emotional. I was so amazed that I was actually finally carrying a baby, and so soon after becoming a mom to Isaac, that it was just incredible. She came a bit early at 36 weeks, but was perfect and healthy.
Then, we had several more years of waiting before Elijah. That was a painful process, of just being surprised at how hard it was again to feel that longing and not know if it would be fulfilled. The pregnancy was more difficult, and ended with bedrest, a placental abruption at 36 weeks, and a near-emergency C-section, so we were beyond thankful he just made it here fine. He was big and healthy too, and super laidback and snuggly.
We were just settling into life with these 3 when we were shocked to find out we were pregnant without trying to be, and so this pregnancy has been more full of doubts than the others. I think we are so used to the waiting and hoping that must give us time to adjust to enlarging our family, and without that this time, we have felt like we are playing catch-up emotionally! :-)
There has been this undercurrent in my thoughts that this baby may have issues, and that may be due to his iffy start - the concern over whether there was even a baby forming, and the joyous news when we found out he was there. But, I went into yesterday so prepared that even though I knew I was really pregnant, that we might hear something we haven't before, like the baby was sick or not developing normally, etc. When the tech told me as far as she could tell, he looked perfect, I really was overcome. It was just too much to take in. I hadn't cared really whether it was a boy or girl, and that statement just further reminded me how little the gender mattered. I know God asks some families to take on extra challenges, or face loss, after supposedly routine appointments like mine, and I just marvel that we have been so blessed to be given another healthy baby. I know things can change too, with the healthy of anyone in our family, and just appreciate the great health we have been given, and don't want to take it for granted. It's a blessing from Him, for sure.
So, the premonition part isn't about my psychic ability. :-) It's just neat how I felt like God gave me a glimpse of something this week before the appointment Thursday. Like I've mentioned, we have prayed and prayed as a family, for this baby's health, and who it would be, and how we wanted to be the right family for it. My only concern about whether it was a boy or girl, was related to Abigail, who has been so serious in her prayers for a sister, even before I was pregnant. James was even worried some that if the baby wasn't a girl, that she would feel disappointed in God. I was encouraged as the weeks have progressed, at her maturity and acceptance of God's plan, and not ours. I still was just praying that God would let me know ahead of time if he was a boy, to be able to comfort her and she was sad, and so I didn't show sadness for her, which I thought would upset her if she was really doing o.k.
Well, Wednesday night, before the appointment, she wanted to read at bedtime to me. I was tired, but agreed, wanting time to snuggle more with her, and talk about the next day. Isaac and Elijah were already asleep. She then chose a book to read, and it literally gave me chill bumps. I just smiled inside, and knew God had given me an answer. The title of the book was the only boy name we'd liked and had decided on as a family. The name for either sex would start with an O, and our girl name for months had been Olivia Hope. The only boy name that began with O that we really liked was Owen, and that was the sweet story she picked out that night. It's a precious story, and after she read it we talked about our baby, and prayed again for him or her. I asked her to please remember God knew who we needed and told her even if she was a little sad, that I hoped she could trust that God was doing the best thing. I felt like she was really peaceful about it all.
So, the next day during the ultrasound, I held her hand, and once we saw him, she just squeezed it, and smiled, and never wavered. I was so very thankful. I think if she'd looked disappointed, I would have cried for her, but she didn't. Her sweet spirit proved that maturity I'd prayed and hoped for, because even though she felt a little disappointment, she quickly focused on the fact that the baby looked great, and was who God decided we needed. There was no sad face or tears, and within no time, she was snuggling me and talking to her new little brother. I am so grateful for that. And, she quickly reminded me of his name and has talked about him ever since, with great joy. The big brothers are great too. Elijah snuggled on me during the ultrasound, and kept looking at the screen, and back to my tummy, saying, "Baby!" like he was making the connection somewhat. Isaac was thrilled, and said, "Finally, another boy!" to which we all shook our heads and reminded him we just had another boy.
Please pray for little Owen as he continues to grow. His name means "mighty warrior," and from the beginning of his life, he has had to fight just to prove he existed, so we think it's very fitting. We also pray he will be a strong man of God someday, whose faith will lead him every step of his life.
17 weeks and photos!
Yesterday was our big ultrasound, and we found out who this new baby is! What a great day! More posting coming later, but here are photos for now.
Here is a little belly, criscrossed legs (you can see the knee of one), and one eye and a little nose.
Sweet face, heart pumping, and ribcage.
Precious profile, tummy, knees and legs tucked under, as he is curved with his back towards mine.
And, no doubt about this one. :-) It's another boy!
Here is a little belly, criscrossed legs (you can see the knee of one), and one eye and a little nose.
Sweet face, heart pumping, and ribcage.
Precious profile, tummy, knees and legs tucked under, as he is curved with his back towards mine.
And, no doubt about this one. :-) It's another boy!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Big Day
Today was our ultrasound appointment to find out who exactly this baby is.
Mom and Dad joined our family, so waited first with James and the kids, while I went back for the first part of the scan. The sweet tech, Abby, has done many ultrasounds for me before, with my past problems/surgeries, as well as happy occasions like this one. She remembered seeing me just over 10 weeks ago, to verify the fact that there was actually a baby growing in me, and was really kind about reaching this point. She mentioned I was a little early to have this ultrasound, and sometimes that made it harder to see everything, if the baby was small. Thankfully, she began measuring and clicking quickly, and said that the baby was showing up great, so there was no problem. I waited while she completed those moments of detailed work, and asked about the placenta, which I was thankful to hear was in the anterior position, NOT a previa like last time. First answer to prayer - Mama has no pesky placenta!
Then, she said she saw everything she needed to, that the baby looked perfect, and that it even measured ahead of my due date. I was not even surprised when it measured right where it would have been if we had kept the original date, but that was changed when we couldn't find anything in the yolk sack at the first ultrasound appointment. So, instead of measuring 17 weeks and a day, the baby measured 18 weeks. Nothing changes as far as the due date goes, but it was wonderful to hear that things have progressed steadily and that the baby has developed well. Another answer to prayer - development seems appropriate! Then, I asked if she could see what we were having, and she said that yes, she did know. As she printed off her information, I just was overwhelmed with emotion. I think it hit me, that we were actually going to have this little person join our family, and it was apparently very much healthy and seemed perfect, and I just burst into tears. I assured her, they were happy tears. But, after the rough beginning to this journey, I still feel shocked at times that we have made it thus far, and that this baby is still with us. That initial doubt is hard to get over!
So, the family came back, and enjoyed seeing the wiggly little person on the screen. The kids loved it, and we saw organs, bones, the brain, and heart ventricles, and little fists, eyes, feet - it was just beautiful. James was looking for diaphragmatic hernias, spina bifida, and intestinal issues, which Abby pointed out were all absent, thankfully. She said, "You know too much!" It's a curse sometimes, having the experience and information he does from being an NICU nurse. And, another prayer was answered - the baby appears very healthy.
Then, it was time to get over to the baby's bottom, and before she even paused, I saw the scan show an obvious scrotum, and then, she stopped, scooted back, and clearly showed every necessary part, and said, "There it is. You're having a little boy!" I glanced at Abigail, who calmly just smiled, squeezed my hand, and was just fine. Everyone else cheered, and we were genuinely so happy. I felt so full of gratitude that God had given us exactly who He desires to join our family, and another prayer was answered-God knows perfectly who our family needed.
Then, in a very sweet moment, Abigail leaned over smiling, and said, "It's Owen!" which is the name we'd chosen for a boy. It means 'mighty warrior,' which is fitting since this little guy has had to fight just to prove he existed from the beginning. We pray he is a brave, courageous warrior for Truth as he grows. We are honored to get to raise another son, and praise the Lord for His blessing us so!
Another post coming, about my appointment immediately after this ultrasound. It deserves its own entry, because of the great news I got then!
Mom and Dad joined our family, so waited first with James and the kids, while I went back for the first part of the scan. The sweet tech, Abby, has done many ultrasounds for me before, with my past problems/surgeries, as well as happy occasions like this one. She remembered seeing me just over 10 weeks ago, to verify the fact that there was actually a baby growing in me, and was really kind about reaching this point. She mentioned I was a little early to have this ultrasound, and sometimes that made it harder to see everything, if the baby was small. Thankfully, she began measuring and clicking quickly, and said that the baby was showing up great, so there was no problem. I waited while she completed those moments of detailed work, and asked about the placenta, which I was thankful to hear was in the anterior position, NOT a previa like last time. First answer to prayer - Mama has no pesky placenta!
Then, she said she saw everything she needed to, that the baby looked perfect, and that it even measured ahead of my due date. I was not even surprised when it measured right where it would have been if we had kept the original date, but that was changed when we couldn't find anything in the yolk sack at the first ultrasound appointment. So, instead of measuring 17 weeks and a day, the baby measured 18 weeks. Nothing changes as far as the due date goes, but it was wonderful to hear that things have progressed steadily and that the baby has developed well. Another answer to prayer - development seems appropriate! Then, I asked if she could see what we were having, and she said that yes, she did know. As she printed off her information, I just was overwhelmed with emotion. I think it hit me, that we were actually going to have this little person join our family, and it was apparently very much healthy and seemed perfect, and I just burst into tears. I assured her, they were happy tears. But, after the rough beginning to this journey, I still feel shocked at times that we have made it thus far, and that this baby is still with us. That initial doubt is hard to get over!
So, the family came back, and enjoyed seeing the wiggly little person on the screen. The kids loved it, and we saw organs, bones, the brain, and heart ventricles, and little fists, eyes, feet - it was just beautiful. James was looking for diaphragmatic hernias, spina bifida, and intestinal issues, which Abby pointed out were all absent, thankfully. She said, "You know too much!" It's a curse sometimes, having the experience and information he does from being an NICU nurse. And, another prayer was answered - the baby appears very healthy.
Then, it was time to get over to the baby's bottom, and before she even paused, I saw the scan show an obvious scrotum, and then, she stopped, scooted back, and clearly showed every necessary part, and said, "There it is. You're having a little boy!" I glanced at Abigail, who calmly just smiled, squeezed my hand, and was just fine. Everyone else cheered, and we were genuinely so happy. I felt so full of gratitude that God had given us exactly who He desires to join our family, and another prayer was answered-God knows perfectly who our family needed.
Then, in a very sweet moment, Abigail leaned over smiling, and said, "It's Owen!" which is the name we'd chosen for a boy. It means 'mighty warrior,' which is fitting since this little guy has had to fight just to prove he existed from the beginning. We pray he is a brave, courageous warrior for Truth as he grows. We are honored to get to raise another son, and praise the Lord for His blessing us so!
Another post coming, about my appointment immediately after this ultrasound. It deserves its own entry, because of the great news I got then!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
16 weeks
Wow - time is flying! Today I reached the 16 week mark in this pregnancy. Abigail requested to listen to the baby's heartbeat this morning, so we did hear him/her loud and clear. Elijah's eyes get so wide when he hears that "chugga chugga" sound, and he points to my belly often and says, "babay!" I know he doesn't have a clue what all this means, but it's still sweet to see him be involved a little.
I am feeling good almost all the time, with just little spells of nausea when I get to moving too fast and haven't eaten often enough. I've gained about 6 pounds so far, but unfortunately look like I've gained about 20! I'm assuming just being pregnant 18 months apart has something to do with the pooch happening so quickly. The only weird thing I have noticed is the occasional feeling like my heart is pounding, but my blood pressure is its normal-to-low range, and it must just be the extra volume of blood moving through my body. I've had only a few headaches and leg cramps, which are normal afflictions at this point each pregnancy, so I'm grateful for that!
Here is my email update from today. I love reading about what is probably going on in there, and how big our little baby O. is. We can't wait to see this little one next week, and find out who he or she exactly is! YAY!!! Abigail has mellowed some on her outspoken desire for a sister, and though a little girl seems like it would round out our family so well, we are all very content with whoever God has planned for us. She even recently said that she while did want a sister, she loves having Elijah for a baby brother so much, that she is sure she'll be fine with another one. I told her I'm glad, since we can't control that. :-)
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.
I am feeling good almost all the time, with just little spells of nausea when I get to moving too fast and haven't eaten often enough. I've gained about 6 pounds so far, but unfortunately look like I've gained about 20! I'm assuming just being pregnant 18 months apart has something to do with the pooch happening so quickly. The only weird thing I have noticed is the occasional feeling like my heart is pounding, but my blood pressure is its normal-to-low range, and it must just be the extra volume of blood moving through my body. I've had only a few headaches and leg cramps, which are normal afflictions at this point each pregnancy, so I'm grateful for that!
Here is my email update from today. I love reading about what is probably going on in there, and how big our little baby O. is. We can't wait to see this little one next week, and find out who he or she exactly is! YAY!!! Abigail has mellowed some on her outspoken desire for a sister, and though a little girl seems like it would round out our family so well, we are all very content with whoever God has planned for us. She even recently said that she while did want a sister, she loves having Elijah for a baby brother so much, that she is sure she'll be fine with another one. I told her I'm glad, since we can't control that. :-)
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.
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