So, So Close

So, So Close!
I was leaving the doctor's office this week and it suddenly struck me that I am practically 9 months pregnant and that leaves very little time before BJ is here. I am mixed with so many emotions. It's absolutely insane that in October Chip and I will be parents to a beautiful little princess. We are both incredibly excited but it's so hard not to realize that it will no longer just be "us". Doesn't that sound totally selfish? I think that there are so many people who have children to fill some kind of void in their lives or their marriage, but for Chip and I that simply wasn't the case. We were totally happy with Tre and still trying to work through all the tiny "quirks" that go along with the first year of being married. We have always been open to adding to our family and knew that whenever it was our time, God would take care of us. For as much joy and happiness that go along with expecting a child, I'd be fibbing if I told you that I wasn't also completely scared as well. When I was driving home from the doctor's office I started going through my list of "what if" questions. I am hoping that I am at least a little ahead of the game acknowledging the fact that it won't ever be the same as it is now when he comes. That being said, I know that after BJ is here I will never be able to imagine it any other way. I know that I will think it's crazy that I ever went a day without knowing her, looking at her, and loving her. I'm going to hold tight to that and know that God WILL take care of our little family.

BJ at Week 25

The week of July 13th, 2009

Today: 25 weeks, 5 days

Head to heels, BJ now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if we could see it, we'd now be able to discern its color and texture (babycenter.com). I hope she's not bald like her dad LOL! Chip actually had tons of hair when he was a baby, I am the one who didn't. So, I wonder what her hair will be like. I wonder what everything will be like with her.

What's going on with me: I took the week to relax on after work activities since last week was jammed packed with church events. I am still feeling great! I can definitely see my belly getting bigger and bigger and the shape changes as BJ changes positions. It's amazing to see. No more worries over weight. I think I am finally over it. I am doing what I am supposed to do growing and nourishing my baby. I am eating right and I am walking at least 30 minutes regularly (when it doesn't rain). So, the weight I am gaining is weight I must need to gain! That's they way I see it! I am starting my yoga and aqua classes again this week. I took a break about a month ago, but now I am ready to get back on track in preparation for her arrival.

Baby names: People keep asking us what we are naming BJ, and truthfully we haven't really settled on a full name. We know what we want her middle name to be, but the first name is still undecided. Choosing a name is an important decision fot both of us and we are trying to make it fun too. We've considered family history, locations we want to travel... It's just so permanent, and we want her to be happy and proud about her name. We hadn't really been in a hurry, but now we feel the pressure so, with prayer we will decide on a name (hopefully soon).

In other news: I celebrated my 29th birthday this week. It was such a wonderful week. Chip took me out for lunch on my birthday which was Thursday (the 16th), Friday we had movie night at home, Saturday we went to a birthday party for my play-niece Baylee! She turned 1 on the 18th! I pretty much thought that would be the extent of our weekend, but Chip decided that we should go look at furniture for the baby at a store on the Plaza before they closed at 5. It was 4:20 and we were on our way. I figured we better do it now, while we have the time. On the way, he mentioned that he had forgotten that his family was planning a surprise B-Day party for one of his cousins at PF Changs. I was dissapointed that we weren't going to get a chance to see the baby furniture since now it was 4:40 and the store was goin gto close soon, but I figured we better at least stop at PF Chang's and say hi to everyone. Wouldn't you know it, it was a surprise party for me!!! It took me a while to figure it out (Prego brain I guess), but I was completely caught off guard. It was a wonderful surprise and thanks to everyone who was there to celebrate with me. It was a great time!!

After that, we went to the Fred Hammond Concert which was awesome! BJ was responding to all the music. It's really amazing that she starts moving when she hears music playing (I guess she gets that from me)! Chip was wonderful this week. I can't believe he did all this for me. I am so grateful for him and I can't wait to witness the kind of attention he will show his daughter.

Since my belly is growing each week now (it seems). I will be sure to take a pic and post it. Stay tuned.

BJ at Week 24

The week of July 6th, 2009

Today: 24 weeks, 6 days

BJ is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

What am I thinking: Where did my toes go!!! No, seriously where did they go??

How I am doing: The reality of having a baby is actually starting to settle in. I'm starting to have concerns about how to take care of her and what it will be like to have a baby in the house all the time, someone who is depending on me for survival. It can be a bit over whelming at times. Chip doesn't seem to be bothered. He's so laid back about everything. It annoys me sometimes, because I think he should be scared like me, but I guess one of us has to be strong and he has definately been my rock. I appreciate him for that.

In the past few weeks, the top of my uterus has risen above my belly button and is now about the size of a soccer ball, and my belly certainly is as big as a soccer ball, if not bigger! We had a doctor's appointment on Monday, but my doc wasn't there so we met with her assistant. The baby's heart rate was in the high 150s, which is pretty normal for her now. Every time I check she is between 150 and 155. I have to take my glucose screening test at my next appointment which won't be until I'm 28 weeks. This test checks for gestational diabetes, a pregnancy-related high-blood-sugar condition. Untreated diabetes increases risk of having a difficult vaginal delivery or needing a cesarean section because it causes the baby to grow too large, especially in her upper body. It also raises her odds for other complications like low blood sugar right after birth. A positive result on your GCT doesn't mean I have gestational diabetes, but it does mean that I'll need to take the glucose tolerance test (GTT) to find out for sure. We pray all goes well with this test. My mom had complications from gestational diabetes with me, so I am very aware of it and try to watch my sugar intake.

Not much else new is going on this past week. BJ is still as active as ever which is a great sign. Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to post pictures from the baby shower I had in Holly Springs and a new belly pic if Chip doesn't get home too late from the gym! So stay tuned!

BJ at Week 23

The week of June 29th, 2009

Today: 23 weeks, 5 days

How BJs growing:Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, she can feel me dance. Now, she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound about as much as a large mango or the size and shape of a small doll, but then, I already know that I am carrying a little living doll :) Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing, and the sounds that her increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them in the outside world for the first time. (babycenter.com)

4th of July weekend has come and gone and it was great! I had soo much fun and am so thankful for the friends and family who came over to celebrate with us. Everyone was pleasant and we had a really good time. We watched the Legacy Park firework show from our deck and we even had our own small firework display with Big Brother Tre and the other kids that were over. It was fun. I haven't actually popped fireworks since I was a kid. We took some pictures, so I will have to post them soon, but for now, it's on to more news about BJ!!

She's been much more active lately, actually having a pattern to her movements. She tends to be most active in the morning around 6am then after breakfast and again around 11:30 to midnight before I go to bed. She is now kicking and pushing harder and harder and I no longer have to feel around on the outside to find out where she is kicking. I can just lay my hand on my belly and feel her kick. She's getting bigger and bigger and I can't wait to have her in my arms soon!!

I have noticed that my ankles and feet swell more easily and more often especially by the end of the day and on the HOT days. Ugggh , I may end up wearing support hose before it's all said and done. My body is also retaining more water these days. So, as instructed, I try to lie on my left side and put my feet up when I can. I have been slacking on the exercise, but I vow to get back to it. It's so easy to get out of the routine and so hard to start back!

This week also marks the beginning of some serious weight gain (hence the need to get back to the exercise routine). BJ's weight in the next four weeks alone should double and I am sure I will feel like my weight is doubling too. BJ's skin is reddish in color now because of the developing blood vessels underneath her skin. Her skin is still very thin. It also hangs loosely from her little body at this point, so she looks very wrinkled. That's because the skin grows faster than the fat develops during fetal growth. But, by the time she's born, she will be pleasantly plump and filled out — from chubby cheeks to chubby toes.

I won't have another ultrasound for a while, so here is a pic of what BJ might look like at this stage in 3D.

BJ at Week 22

The week of June 22nd, 2009

At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, BJ is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's continuing to develop tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her eyes have formed, but her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see her, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on her skin, which she'll sport until he adds a padding of fat called "brown fat" to fill them in. Inside her belly, the pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.(Babycenter.com) It's amazing that BJ weighs in at nearly a whopping pound and measures nearly eight inches, about the size of a small doll. She can now distinctly perceive light and dark. She can also recognize my voice and distinguish my heartbeat from her own. What a smart baby!

The 20 week (halfway) mark came and went pretty fast. Now that we know BJ is a girl, the time seems to be moving much faster. Everyone said this would happen so we are just trying to get prepared for her as much as we can. But I still feel like so much has to be done. We were planning to clean out the closet in her room this week, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Not sure if we will. We still haven't picked out furniture for her either. Oh well, if push comes to shove (literally) and her nursurey isn't ready, she can just sleep in the night stand drawer next to my bed :) I know we have time, but it just seems to be going faster and faster and before I know it she will be here. Chip and I also need to start signing up for birthing classes and other classes to take at the hospital. So far, our doctor told us to take the Infant Care class where we'll learn to take care of BJ after she's brought home from the hospital, the Baby CPR class and the Labor and Delivery class. I'm also going to sign up for the Breast Feeding class. I'm debating that last one since after we have the baby we'll get free classes in the hospital, but I think I'd like to be prepared before-hand so BJ can start nursing right away (I hope). I'm excited about starting the classes but I can't believe how LONG they are!

Father's Day was really nice. Tre and BJ each gave their dad a card and a framed photo. I think he was happy and excited :) We celebrated Father's Day as a family at church and then we took Chip to PF Chang's for dinner. It was a beautiful day! Then it was home for a nap because we were both exhausted.

BJ moves around constantly now. I always feel her about 10-15 minutes after I eat something. Her kick-boxing skills are improving and are finally strong enough for Chip to feel them. Monday night was the first time he felt her as she moved and wiggled around. I felt her moving so I put his hand on my belly and she kicked a few times. He said, "Is that her poking you" I said yep, that's your baby. It was the coolest thing. After that he kept poking her to see if she would play back, and after that her poking in response got stronger and stronger. It was incredible. I'm glad he can finally feel her. And for me it was such an amazing thing to feel her move on the inside and the outside. What a special time that was! Now, I've heard at some point, you can actually see the baby moving, so now I guess we'll wait to see my belly flinching. So cool!

She is still VERY low and almost always has some part of her body on my bladder, so I'm constantly going to the bathroom. Also I hear it's pretty typical for your stomach to turn hard as a rock after you eat a big meal, which is very uncomfortable. I personally experienced this last weekend after eating at a birthday dinner for Chip's cousin Erica. I was extremely uncomfortable all night. I couldn't even get comfortable to sleep. I had to sit up most of the night. It was horrible. I vowed to not EVER do that again.

As for me, these days, the only things growing more rapidly than BJ may be my feet!!! As if my ever-expanding belly (body) wasn't enough — now my feet are getting in on the act! I read it's due to the pregnancy hormone relaxin, which loosens my pelvic ligaments. Well, it also loosens every other ligament too — including the ones in my feet. In turn, the bones beneath those ligaments spread slightly, which results, for many women, in a half or whole shoe-size increase. Ugggh! All my cute shoes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No more stilettos, I've worn you as long as I can, now I must tearfully and reluctantly bid you farewell — at least for a while (that is if my feet don't out grow you). I guess it's time for more sensible shoes to help me balance my big belly and my changing center of gravity. Well, you know how much I love shoes!!!! What a great reason for new ones :) Maybe Chip will take me off new shoe purchasing punishment :) I might as well get something out of this too (other than a baby I mean) :) LOL!!

Don't forget you can subsribe to the blog and leave comments for me, Chip, and BJ.

BJ at Week 21...Over Halfway There!

The week of June 15th, 2009

BJ now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a banana. Sometimes I feel like she is practicing kick-boxing as her little butterfly fluters have now turned into full-fledged kicks and nudges. I think I am also starting to notice a pattern of behavior with her since we've had a while to get to know each other better. In other developments, her eyebrows and lids are present now. (Babycenter.com)

Speaking of activity BJ was very active this past weekend. I still haven't felt her kick on the outside, but her Aunt Keisha said she felt it before. Although, I have been feeling her move inside. I can't wait to feel her on the outside. So, the countdown is on to Father's Day. I have no idea what to do for Chip. I mean, he is a dad already, but now he is a soon-to-be father too :) So, I will have to think of something special for him, something from Tre and something from BJ.

BJ is grazing on whatever I eat these days, and I am doing my best to keep the stretch marks away or at least to a minimum! Lucky BJ, so won't get one stretch mark from all the growing she's doing. So, BJ is about the size of a large banana — and chances are if I eat one this week, she will get a taste, too. That's because she swallows amniotic fluid each day (for nutrition, hydration, and to practice digesting), so she eats whatever is on my menu.

In other (not so welcome) news, as my body expands my belly and boobs just keep on growing. I've had some anxiety over this lately, but then I realize, there's really a baby in there! Now that I've really started to look pregnant (and not just like I've been eating tubs and tubs of ice cream) and BJ's kicks can no longer be mistaken for other bodily functions, the reality of pregnancy is beginning to sink in. But, I am hanging in there. I know that this baby is a blessing and that God will surely work everything out. In talking with other moms, some said that at some point in pregnancy (usually when it becomes very visible) just about every expectant mother (and father!) begins to feel anxiety and fear as though she's on a runaway train — with enormous changes coming around every turn. They say it is completely normal to feel anxious.

Physically, I am still pretty comfortable. Ever since I got my pillow for work, my tailbone has been fine. I also started going back to the chiropractor every 2 weeks, and that has helped tremendously. I have noticed that my skin is producing more oil, so I am going through another round of acne, like a teenager. But all that is in it I guess, and I will be worth it to see her sweet face and hold her in my arms. So, that is how I am feeling these days. It won't be long until we're in the 3rd trimester and that's when all the real fun begins!

BJ at 20 weeks: Half way there!

The week of June 8th, 2009

According to babycenter.com BJ should weigh about 10 1/2 ounces now, but she isn't quite there yet. We had our 20 week visit on Wednesday and she only weighed 10 oz. I guess she's slowing down from the fast growth spurt she had a few weeks back. She should also be around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the size of a cantaloupe. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.) She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate and we will see it in her first soiled diaper (ugggh I can't wait).

I can't believe I'm halfway through my pregnancy!!! Chip's sisters Chanda and Tasha came with us for our 20 week appointment. They got to see their very busy niece at the sonogram. Tasha says she has a chin and eyes like mine. Tasha is a nurse and she's such a wiz at figuring out what body parts are showing on the sonogram screen. I had to ask the lady doing to sonogram to slow down because I just couldn't see what she was seeing. It was really cool seeing her at this stage. At one point, she looked like she was opening and closing her mouth, like she was talking. She wasn't moving much though. Her heartrate was 158 and she was just relaxing. He heart looks perfect and so does her spine and her kidneys and everything else! There are still ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes and the doctor said everything was fine. My placenta is anterior, which means that it's right in front of the baby, but apparently that doesn't bother BJ. Initially, I read that with anterior placenta it can be harder to feel the baby kick, or I might not feel her until much later in the pregnancy, but something very exciting happened this week.

On Monday night, Chip and I were lying still listening to her heartbeat on the handheld doppler ( I have one at home). We found the hearbeat and it was almost 170. She was moving all over the place so I had to keep repositioning the doppler to keep up with her, then all of a sudden, a felt a big jolt and a thud on the doppler wand. BJ was kicking it or hitting it and me!!! It was the most amazing thing. She kept doing it everytime I pushed the doppler down on my belly (her home). I guess she doesn't like that or she was just having some fun playing with it. Since then, she has been kicking up a storm. On Tuesday I was holding her cousing Boston as he slept. He was laying on my belly. He woke up and started shuffling his feet , and wouldn't you know it, BJ kicked back! I guess she wanted to play too. I love those little kicks, it's the coolest feeling in the world. I wish her dad could feel them on the outside. Soon enough I guess. Soon enough.

Here are some pics of BJ at 20 weeks!

Here is a picture of her profile. Her placenta is sitting right on top of her!

And here is a picture of her sweet face!

BJ at Week 19

The week of June 1st, 2009

BJ's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear voices now, so we shouldn't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune. Our baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a mango. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. (babycenter.com)

Wow it's hard to believe I am now 19 weeks pregnant! Time sure has time flown!!! Chip and I have been very busy so there's lots to update. First of all since we found out we're having a girl we decided to register, so now we have that out of the way. Plus my family and some friends back home are giving me a baby shower on June 13th so I knew I needed to get my registry ready. And it doesn't hurt to have that done since I will be having other showers in a few months with friends and family here in Kansas City. So for anyone that would like to check out what I've registered for you can go to http://www.babiesrus.com/ and just enter my name or Chip's name and you should find us under our due date 10/28/09. We also registered at Target and Wal-Mart and we are registered for BJ's bedding at USA baby (a local store).

We found a travel system with a carseat and stroller and a swing that were floor samples, so we found them at a really good price. We also have some other items that were given to us and some that have been purchased. Thank you everyone that has already bought BJ some things. I can't wait until she's here and she can wear them and play with them!!

We also have some sad news this time. Chip's nephew CJ passed away on Sunday, May 31st. CJ has gone on to rest with the Lord, and we will miss him greatly. It saddens me to know that BJ will not get a chance to meet her funny cousin CJ, but she was very active during CJ's celebration service, so I just know that he's speaking with her and getting her ready for her arrival. Praise the Lord!! Lastly, Chip and I are so blessed with family and friends and everything in our lives. We just can't say enough about how grateful we are that God has blessed us. I can't imagine my life without God in it and without our families and true friends and I know Chip could say the same thing.

Stay tuned for the 20 week belly photo and more updates about this busy body baby!

BJ at Week 18

The week of May 25th 2009

Head to rump, BJ should be about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and weigh almost 7 ounces. But if you have been keeping up with her, you know that she is already measuring 6 inches and is likely bigger now:) She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that I have felt from time to time and will start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. Her reproductive organs are formed and in place, but if her dad has anything to do with it, she will never get married and have babies of her own.

So as all of you know from several posts ago, we are having a girl and we are sooo extremely excited that we can't stand it! Also as many of you know I am very much a planner so now that I know what the sex of the baby is I will be kicking it into high gear for planning mode. Plus, am I getting bigger and it is getting hotter, so the more I get done early the better! We went to babies r us and started our registry. We also went to USA baby and registered for the bedding we like. I also think we are going to register for a few items at Target too. We haven't decided if we are going to paint BJ's room or not, but if we do decide to paint it, it won't be PINK!!! Her dad and I both agree that she will already get a lot of pink clothes and gear, so a pink room would be over the top :) We haven't decided on furniture for the nursery yet, but so far this is what we have settled on:

This is the bedding we picked out and we both really like that it is feminine, but not pink. You can go here to view the other pictures as well:
http://www.cocalo.com/item.asp?id=534&brand=6&g=1&coll=&cat=1

Anyways so we will post our registries soon since we have some baby showers coming up this summer before the baby comes. We still haven't decided on a name yet, but we are so excited about everything and can't wait to actually see our baby girl in person and hold her!!

BJ at Week 17

The week of May 18th 2009: My Little Onion



BJ's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Most babies around this time would weigh about 5 ounces (as much as a turnip), and be around 5 inches long from head to bottom, but she is measuring a little big at 6 inches (about the size of a jumbo baked potato!) She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop. (Babycenter.com)

It is kind of ironic that this week is an onion for the simple fact that before I was pregnant I loved onions and now that I am pregnant I barely eat them! This is definitely Chip's princess because he has a hatred towards onions as well. I've been feeling great still and am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with this baby. Sometimes I still forget she's there, but now that my baby bump is growing, it's a constant reminder! I feel random twitches and tinges in weird places as my BJ's temporary home makes room for her. I know it's all part of the whole journey so I try not to freak out too much. Every now and then I feel little flutters in my belly as BJ makes sure mommy knows she's there. For example, we went to Bible study last night and everything was fine, then the organ got louder and so did the singing and the clapping and that must have excited BJ, because she was moving around like she was gettin her praise on! I was thinking, OMG! there is something crawling on my stomach? Oh, wait! That was the baby!!

What's going on with me? Well after spending much of my life after 25 trying to avoid gaining weight, now I'm told to pack on the poundage. But not too many pounds, of course. And not the wrong kind of weight. It's exhausting. So, I enrolled in prenatal yoga and an aqua fit class. Both of which I really really like. So, hopefully, the weight I am gaining I can lose after the baby is born.

Speaking of packing on the pounds, that what it's all about for BJ this week. She's adding fat stores that will keep her warm and cozy after she's born. Her weight will increase approximately six times over the next four weeks. Wow!!

BJ is also hard at work making sure her sucking and swallowing reflexes are in working order —all the better for eating that 2 AM (and 5 AM, and 8 AM ...) meal in a few months! Goodness! Will I ever sleep??!!!