20w 4d

Today I am exactly how far along I was when we lost our little Samuel. I can't help but think about how completely formed and perfect he was and how this baby is that same size. From here on out, I will be experiencing new things in pregnancy that I was not able to experience before. There is such a whirl of emotions, missing Samuel, being excited about this baby, etc... Just as we dedicated Samuel to the Lord, we are dedicating this little boy to Him and leaving this pregnancy in the Lord's hands, knowing that He knows what is best.

20 weeks

Well, half way there! Right now the baby is about 10.5oz and 10 inches long. I have really started to feel the baby move (which is the absolute best part of pregnancy!) and Seth has been able to feel him a couple times as well. Everything else is going well so far. I'm starting to pop out. Here is my 20 week photo. Oh and I got a new hair cut today as well, it feels good to get it off my shoulders. Thanks again for all your prayers!

Update

Thank you all for your prayers with the antibiotic. I take my last dose tomorrow and I've had no reaction to it! The Lord is so good. He is constantly teaching me that He is in control and that He can be trusted with all our fears. He says to "be anxious for nothing" and I am trying to learn to do that through this pregnancy especially.

Prayer Request

Last week I went to the doctor because one of the incisions from my appendectomy was infected. They put me on an antibiotic and tested the fluid from the infection. Today they called and said that the antibiotic they put me on was resistant to the infection that I have (which is some kind of Staph). The problem is, I am allergic to three different antibiotics and they are already limited on what ones they can put you on in pregnancy. So, they had to put me on one that is a derivative of one that I am allergic to. There is a 10% chance that I will develop an allergic reaction to this one and if I do I don't know what they would do to treat it. I would just appreciate prayer that I will not develop a reaction to this antibiotic, that the infection will go away, and that the baby will stay protected. I am also home in Iowa until Christmas so it could be complicated if anything goes wrong...

THANK YOU!

The BIG ultrasound

So, I had the big scan today and everything is looking great! The baby is actually measuring 10 days ahead of schedule. The doctor did say that because of my appendectomy I am at an increased risk for pre-term labor, so he told me how to recognize it and if I even have a questionable ache, to come in. So, I'd appreciate prayer for a full term baby.

Here are some pictures. He was an active little guy so we didn't get the greatest pictures but they're still cute.


This one looks like he's posing and blowing bubbles!


A full body shot


A 3D picture - you can mostly just see his leg and arm


and a nice leg shot!

16 week belly

Well, here is my belly at 16 weeks. I'm starting to pop.

More exciting news, today I for sure felt the baby move! I've been wondering if I've been feeling the baby, but today when I was dropping off my keys for my oil change I felt some obvious flutters. It is so amazing to be able to feel this little one growing inside me. I can't wait for Seth to feel him kick! Anyway, here's my belly...

15 weeks

I love learning about the baby's development, it is amazing how quickly they grow! I can't wait to feel this little one move, it won't be long now!

Baby's Development:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). He's busy moving amniotic fluid through his nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in his lungs begin to develop. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all of his joints and limbs. Although his eyelids are still fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but he is forming taste buds.

More baby pics

Profile



Alien Baby



And... It's a BOY!!!

More Blood Thinners

Well, on Monday (before everything happened), I had some blood work done to check the levels of Lovenox (the blood thinner) in me blood. So far I have been on 40mg once a day, so one shot a day. They called me on Friday and said that I had no level in my blood, so what I had injected the night before the test had already left my system. My perinatologist and ob talked and decided based on my history and the two blotting disorders I have, to up my dose to the maximum. This means I will be giving myself shot 2x a day and they will be 60mg of Lovenox. So, in a nut shell, no more shaving (with a razor that is...) and I will need to be careful with any cuts since I won't clot off easy.

I am very thankful they are upping my dose because I have felt that it wasn't enough since I would clot off so easily whenever I cut myself. So, praise the Lord for taking care of us once again!

12 week ultrasound pics

Profile of baby

Baby waving hi!

The Lord's Continued Care

Well, this morning I woke up with horrible cramps and was thinking it may be a miscarriage. I called the doctor and she said to drink lots of water, take some tylenol, and rest and if it worsened to call back. Well, the pain just grew worse, I was throwing up repeatedly, and was only able to take a few steps so I called back. The nurse told me they could get me in at 11:15 so I called Seth to come home and take me.

We got to the doctor and I was just in excruciating pain. They checked baby's heart beat and it was good, so they started to suspect appendicitis. They sent me to a surgeon to get checked out. He said that they would have to do a laparoscopy and there would be a 10-15% of losing the baby. That was really our only option because if it was the appendix and it burst we would lose the baby for sure.

They did the surgery this evening and sure enough it was my appendix so they removed it and the baby is doing wonderful. I am so thankful for such a great God!

Thank you for all your prayers, they were heard and the Lord deserves all the glory for the protection of this little one.

NT scan - 11 weeks

Today we had the Nuchal Traslucency scan. It was amazing! I can't believe how much our little one has grown! At first s/he was just lying there not doing a whole lot, then it started kicking and waving like crazy I started laughing - I think I was just overwhelmed with emotion! Everything looked good with a heart rate of 156bpm and the baby actually measured five days ahead!

It was so neat to see a profile, little arms and legs, and a perfectly formed body in there. Praise the Lord for His everlasting goodness!

11 weeks!

Today I am 11 weeks pregnant, only 2 1/2 more weeks and I'll be out of the 1st trimester! I am started to feel better, I didn't puke at all this weekend. Then, today I woke up sick with dry heaves :P No big deal really, I am still thankful for it! I have my Nuchal Translucency test (a glorified ultrasound) on Wednesday, I am sooo excited about it!

How the baby is growing (taken from Babycenter):

Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

9w 1d baby ultrasound picture

Here is our little one at 9w1d

Sneek Peek

On Monday, I worked late out at the hospital. After work, I decided to get a glimpse of our fuzz ball and much to my surprise, it's looking more and more like a baby! I actually saw him/her move which was absolutely amazing. I could see a distinct head and even arm and leg buds. I saw the heart just flickering away, but wasn't sure how many beats per minute. I am just so thankful for this little one and already love this baby so much!

9 week photo

Here is a pic of me at nine weeks. Some highlights of what the baby is looking like/doing this week: s/he is about the size of a grape. The baby's heart finished dividing into four chambers and valves start to form. The baby's teeth are begining to form and the organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. His/her eyes are fully formed, but the eyelids will stay shut until about 27 weeks.

8 weeks 3 days

This is kind of a bitter-sweet day. I was 8w 3d pregnant when we first saw our little Samuel on the ultrasound screen. His heart was fluttering away. I remember leaving that appointment feeling like I was on cloud 9. There used to never be this little person and all of the sudden there he was! We couldn't hold the secret in any longer. Even though we had already told immediate family and some friends, now we wanted the world to know! We can't wait to meet our little one in heaven some day. He is so dear to us.

8 Weeks

Today I am 8 weeks pregnant. I thougt I'd give an update on the baby's development at this stage. This is from babycenter.

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. Your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

Baby's 1st Ultrasound!

Here is our first glimpse at our baby! He/She measured 7w1d and the heart beat was 147bpm.

7 week photo

Ugg...

TMI (too much information) Alert!

Well, I have been having cherry juice first thing in the morning and right before I go to bed to help with my joint pain. Today it didn't sit too well. Yep, I lost it at work after only being there 45 min. This was the first time I've actually lost the contents of my stomach. It was bad. So, I left early and rested at home. It was so nice. I munched on crackers, then Seth brought me some Sprite and made me Ramon soup.

I decided I must find a cure for this! So, I had heard of these pregnancy pops that help ease the morning sickness. I got some today at Burlington Coat Factory of all places and I was feeling a little sick when I left so I sucked on one and it really did seem to ease my stomach. I also got some tea that is supposed to help. We will see. If I keep this up it will be difficult to keep the secret until Thanksgiving like we are hoping...

Symtoms setting in...

Well, I am really starting to feel pregnant...

Morning sickness is here, usually from about 9am-11am off and on and occasionally other times. The other day when I was teaching Sunday school I really thought I was going to hurl. I'm glad a didn't, but who knows in the weeks to come, eek!

Fatigue - By 8:30/9:00pm I start feeling exausted. If I get to bed later than 9:30 I am so tired in the morning and can't get myself out of bed (that was me this morning since I didn't get to bed until 11:30).

Hungry - It isn't always, but occasionally, I just get so hungry I feel like I could eat a horse! I can't remember being this hungry in a long time, so I know it's a symtom. Going along with that I've had some cravings - mac & cheese (I know I shouldn't have this but I gave into it once about 10 days ago. Watermelon was another - I had this for supper and I ate the entire thing over a three hour period, yummy!

There are other things I am experiencing, but I will spare you!
To add, I am so thankful for these symtoms. Since I can't actually feel the baby yet, these are all such wonderful physical reminders that this little one is growing inside of me.

We will be having an ultrasound on Monday to see our little bean! I'll be about 7 weeks, so there should be a good heart beat in there!

Posted by marcie at 1:04 PM 0 comments


Tuesday, September 11, 2007

1st Appointment with Perinatologist
Today I met my perinatologist. Dr. Fumia - interesting name. He was so nice, he just spent like 45 min just talking to us about everything. He talked to us about what to expect as far as my injections and upcoming ultrasounds. I had an ultrasound but he couldn't really see anything since I'm only 4w5d. He said he did see the gestational sac though so that's good. I just want to fast forward to 28 weeks or so, even 13 would be great! It's just the unsurity of what is going to happen with this pregnancy. I am just trying to enjoy each day. I have known for over a week now that I've been pregnant so I'm thankful for that! My next appt with him is in 6 weeks but I will see my regular OB before that (Sept. 24) so I'm hoping we can see the heart beat by then! Now, it is just the waiting game..

1st Appointment with Perinatologist

Today I met my perinatologist. Dr. Fumia - interesting name. He was so nice, he just spent like 45 min just talking to us about everything. He talked to us about what to expect as far as my injections and upcoming ultrasounds. I had an ultrasound but he couldn't really see anything since I'm only 4w5d. He said he did see the gestational sac though so that's good. I just want to fast forward to 28 weeks or so, even 13 would be great! It's just the unsurity of what is going to happen with this pregnancy. I am just trying to enjoy each day. I have known for over a week now that I've been pregnant so I'm thankful for that! My next appt with him is in 6 weeks but I will see my regular OB before that (Sept. 24) so I'm hoping we can see the heart beat by then! Now, it is just the waiting game..

The Poking Begins!

Well, because of my blood clotting disorders (Factor V Leiden & MTHFR) that they found after we lost our son, I will be sticking myself with Lovenox (Heparin) once a day. It is basically a blood thinner and should prevent clotting during this pregnancy. It took me a second to stick that inch long needle in my stomach, but once I got myself to do it that was not the bad part at all. It was when I pushed the medicine in that it BURNED! I was not expecting that. Oh well, it is soo worth it! And a blessing is that my insurance covers the Lovenox, if it didn't I would have to give myself the generic Heparin injections 2x a day and it steals more calcium from your bones - so I am very thankful.

I still haven't been able to get into a specialist. I got a call from who my specialist was going to be and they said she is out of network (they just didn't renew their contract with my insurance recently). So, the wait continues. I know I just need to be patient and know that the Lord is just wanting me to TRUST Him, He will work it all out according to His will. Well, that is all for today so far

Finding out!

Well, on Labor Day I decided to take a home pregnancy test and sure enough, it was positive! With tears of joy I burst in to wake up Seth to tell him. He just held me and we layed in silence to let it sink in. It was hard not the think of the last time we got a positive test. We had gotten home after Bible study and had picked up a test on the way home. Doubtful that it would be positive, but I had been having some symtoms so we went ahead and bought it. As the two lines went across, we were both literally in shock (we had only been married 6 weeks!), but so excited that the Lord had performed a miracle and created a little one.

It was a little different this time. We lost the pregnancy "bliss" that we once knew when we lost our son. We decided that we would take one day at a time and truly celebrate this pregnancy each day.

Our first celebration - we went out to a nice Italian restaurant and talked about our excitement, our fears, and what we need to think about with this pregnancy. We made a list of things we want to try NOT to do, here it is:

We will try not to Complain - No matter how sick I get, I want to be truly thankful for these symtoms as a reminder that I am still pregnant.

We need to be careful of our Expectations - We need to be willing to accept and want whatever the Lord's will is through this pregnancy. Not what we want, but what He wants.

We will try not to Replace Samuel - We need to remember that this is his sibling and not feel like we are replacing what we have lost.

We will try not to Worry - The Lord says to be "anxious for nothing, but in everything give thanks..." So, we will be thankful for each day and try to trust the Lord through everything.

Well, four weeks... Not very far along, but I am thankful for the joy that the Lord has given me for today!