32 weeks/8 months [praying for Judah]

 

Development Prayers:
By now, Judah weighs about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. I read that I'm supposed to be gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to Judah. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair. His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.  In addition to praying for his final weeks of development, I would love your prayers as labor and delivery approaches.  It's become very real that in about 8 weeks, I'll be experiencing something totally out of my control even more so than being pregnant.

Symptoms:

• I feel Judah continuously throughout the day.  You can tell that he is definitely running out of room in there and doing his best to stretch and move around.  Sometimes I feel quick sharp movements, but most of the time its just waves of movement.  I love it so much.
• He has been responding to Joel's voice!  It's too crazy!  Joel will come sit by me, rub my stomach or just put his hand there, and talk to Judah, and he always kicks in response after Joel stops talking.
• I feel asleep on the couch last night lying next to Joel with his arm around me, and when I woke up he said that Judah was a kicking machine.  It just made me so happy to know that Joel had some time with Judah because it's something that I get to experience everyday.  
• Walking and moving around is becoming more difficult. I am definitely feeling the extra weight and my muscles are especially.  So I am trying to walk more, sit less, and stretch during random moments throughout the day.  Sometimes I stand up at my desk and just rock my hips--it feels good and the doula at our birthing class said this will help prepare my pelvis for labor. 
• I've gained 21 pounds so far.  I realized that I haven't really talked about that yet.  I'm happy to gain weight as long as it's in the healthy range, but I just never think about it to share it. These last few weeks have been a steady increase.  I plateaued at 15 pounds gained for a while, but now the scale is moving for sure.  I'm also about 10 pounds away from the number that had me change my life and eating habits completely--so I'm hoping that same motivation will come in once it's all said and done. :)
• I haven't really had back pain until now, but I'll get a small pain in my lower back unless I shift positions frequently.  

31 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
This week, Judah measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's definitely moving a lot more too and with bigger movements--my stomach rolls as he moves--Joel and I just sit and watch. From what I've read all the movement is a great sign that Judah is active and healthy--praise God.  Continue to pray for Judah's last stage of development and for a long pregnancy until he is full term. 

Symptoms:

• I can feel Judah's hiccups!  He has them either once or twice a day--and it's how I knew that he had turned into a downward position because they are so low.  When we had our last ultrasound, my feelings were confirmed.  
• Speaking of ultrasounds, we have to have one more ultrasound in about 2 weeks because while he is head down, he is also face down and they want to see certain angles of his heart and face that they haven't seen yet. They said that everything they see in his heart is doing it's job, but it's just a standard checklist of things they like to see in the ultrasound.  I don't mind because I get to see him again--he's grown so much and I like hearing that all his measurements are good.  At our last ultrasound, they sound he is measuring in the 53rd percentile, which is a great place to be.  But you can still pray that he turns face up or turns to where they can see what they need to see.
• I have so much energy to work in the nursery. And it's coming along just how I pictured it! I finished up the statement art piece that is above his crib this week and am so glad we went that route instead of the wood piece I was considering doing.  I painted Philippians 1:9-11 (And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.).  I pray this verse over him often and wanted to incorporate it as an attention point in his room.  I painted the words in a loose version of my handwriting to make it even more personal--we absolutely love how it came out--I'll share a pic later once I get the crib set up.
• Our last baby class is this weekend--its a two-parter, so it will be Saturday and Sunday.  While I love going to the classes and learning a lot about the process, nutrition, what to expect, strategies for birth, etc., we will both be so glad when we are done. They take up so much of our weekend, and with so much still left to do, we are guarding our weekends to rest and get things done.
• I'm making it a point to eat better during this stage--I know it's an important time for his development, so I eat a small portion of sugar and load up on meats, fruits, and veggies, along with some carbs.  But with that makes a definitely more expensive and frequent grocery store trip--ouch.  I told Joel that after we have Judah I want a big diet coke, an icee, a sweet tea, and lots of coffee--just drinking water, milk, and OJ has it's perks and is great for Judah, but definitely leaves a girl wanting more after almost 8 months.

30 weeks [praying for Judah]

 

Development Prayers:
Judah's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in the uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)


Symptoms:

• Little man is kicking up a storm!  I love feeling his kicks, turns, and nudges--such a great reminder that he is coming soon!  He even responds with a kick when I touch my stomach--before I get up in the mornings I like to see if he's up, so I'll rub my stomach and it usually results in a quick kick.  It's so great. :)
• I feel like I'm entering the nesting stage--I never understood what people meant by this until I found myself working to clean out drawers,  organizing anything and everything,  and constantly being distracted by thinking of what I can do next.
• The thought of birth has been on my mind a lot more recently.  As most of you know, our plan is to go all natural. It's something we've prayed about, researched, and attended classes for--but I know that even though we may plan for it, it might not be the route we're able to take--and that's ok too. I've been praying more about the actual delivery lately and it gets me excited--not a lot of people are supportive when they hear our plans, which is kind of frustrating, but there are those handful of people that I go to when I need to hear encouragement.  I know I can do it and I pray that it's what He has in store for our birth--if not, I know that I've used this time to not close my mind off to the option, but to prayerfully consider other options.

bump watch

Here's a pic in case you don't read our regular blog: the gilberts. Only two more pics to go! :)

28 weeks/7 months [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
I am officially in my third trimester! By this week, Judah weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now have lashes. Pray his eyesight continues to develop on schedule; he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. Also pray for Judah's brain as he's also developing billions of neurons.  You can also pray for his fat development since he is adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Symptoms:

• Judah is a kicking machine! We love feeling him before I go to bed since he tends to be the most active then.  He's even getting so big that sometimes when he moves, he moves the shape of my stomach--talk about cool.  We definitely felt either his head or his bottom last night since it was a pretty hard mass that moved. 
• The closer it gets, the more anxious I become.  I had some issues with worry, but I started the devotional Jesus Calling, and it is full of wisdom concerning worry and peace.  It really helps set my mind on what I know to be true and reminds me to TRUST Him--all while giving me great verses to reference.
• My iron is low--boo.  I'm having to take iron supplements pills at night to make sure I'm getting all the iron I need.  My numbers were borderline, but they don't mess around with vitamins, so I get to include that in my diet now.  Apparently it's pretty common and another pregnant friend of mine has to take them too--so I didn't feel so bad.  :)
• Bending over is a thing of the past.  Anytime I drop something, it is quite the production to pick it up.  Not that my belly is so huge, but all the muscles involved in bending over or squatting just aren't pleasant.

baby class

Baby classes are in full swing!  This baby was from the latest one we took this past weekend.  But before this one, we took one last month that was about delivery, knowing the signs of labor, watching labor videos, and other fun (disturbing) stuff.  We went with three other couples in our church, which was interesting because we had two extremes.  On one hand, we had Joel, who meticulously read through every page in our packet, and then you had another husband who closed his eyes and started rocking back and forth with hands over his ears during a vaginal birth video, haha.  I don't know which one was worse.  :) 

This last class we did one our own and learned about all the basics that come with a new baby.  Feeding, diapers, burping, signs to look out for, ways to engage your baby, car seat safety, how to bathe a baby (this I had NO clue about), things to avoid, sleeping strategies, etc.  It was 5 hour class and they covered a lot of ground. 

We learned how to swaddle, deal with "baby blues" and postpartum, recover from birth, and how to dress a baby.  There was a lot of overlap, but overall the class made me feel more comfortable for what is to come. 

Our next class is this weekend and it's on breast feeding.  This should be especially fun since we'll be going with the two other couples.  We're all new to it together, so it's comforting to have friends around who are on the same page, understanding that we have no clue what to do and excited that we're all going to figure it out eventually. :)

glugross test

Well I don't have gestational diabetes!  But not without worrying I did though.  As my last doctor's appointment, she told me that I would be coming in early to take the test.  Basically, you drink this drink (very, very sugary orange syrup consistency--so gross), and then you wait an hour and have your blood drawn.  I asked my doc if I needed to fast for 12 hours the night before and she said no.  But then I told her that my mom had it with me and later had Type 2 diabetes.  To this she replied, "Ohhh, yeah--you'll definitely want to fast then." What the heck?! Apparently my odds of having it were drastically increased.

So the day arrived, I fasted, drank the drink, gave my blood, and then failed the test.  Since I barely failed it, the nurse told me to come back in and take the test again, but I had to do a three-hour version, which was today.  I fasted again, got there, got my blood taken before, and then I drank the drink.  So then every hour for the next three hours, they took my blood.  My poor arm was killing me because my left arm has the easiest vein to get to and was used three out of the four times. Also Judah was doing acrobats since this test makes you take 100 g instead of the 50 g you take the first time, so that and my book kept me sane over the three hours.

I finally got to go home around noon, so Joel and I headed to breakfast (I was STARVING at this point).  Before today, I was so worried I had it at first, but as we prayed about it and got friends to pray about it, I felt more at ease even if I did get the phone call saying I did. 

They finally called around 2:20 pm and informed me that my levels for all four tests looked good.  I was so relieved!  I'm so thankful I don't have to deal with all the things that gestational diabetes brings, but I will say it was an eye opener that got me double checking my carb and sugar intake, which is good to keep on eye on anyway.

27 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
This week, Judah weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, Judah's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he were to be born now.  Keep praying for a long pregnancy and Judah's basic development as he enters new stages.

Symptoms: 

• Felt Judah hiccup for the first time!  It was so cool.  Sometimes I just lay in bed and try and figure out where he is.  Right now I feel him on my right side and left.  I used to mainly feel him lower down, but over the last few weeks I've been feeling his kicks get higher and stronger.  In fact, I literally jumped the other day because it scared me.
• I don't have a cold, but I have had days of feeling under the weather.  Mainly stuffy nose and scratchy throat.  I talked to my doctor to make sure it was ok, and she said people get sick, sick during pregnancy, take antibiotics, etc.  I get so overprotective just being pregnant--I can only imagine what I'm like later in life.
• I am sleeping the best I have all pregnancy!  I go to sleep in one position and wake up in the exact position.  Our new bed definitely helps--and the body pillow and the pillow i have tucked under my back and bottom.  Before we get up, Joel always wants to snuggle (not complaining!), so he has to move about two pillows just to get to me, haha.  

baby shower [invites]

It's really happening!! I got my shower invitations in the mail and was an emotional mess for about 5 minutes.  I had no idea what the girls were planning (heck, I wasn't even 100% sure of the time of the shower), so when I opened up the invite, I was just blown away.  The thoughtfulness, the creativity, the personalization, and seeing Judah's name in print just all had me so grateful.

I walked in the house and told Joel how much I loved his quote and he goes, "Quote? I wrote the whole thing!" ha!  He said that Val sent him what they wanted to do and wanted him to make his own version, so sure enough he sent them what he came up with for the top portion.  I also love that Joel's alter ego got a nod at the end: "Story by Reporter Dante Cleric."  I should have known once I saw that.  :)

Like I said, I'm just so thankful for the girls who put so much thought even into the smallest thing.  I still go back and read it.  Also, it's been kind of funny to see people at church who think I designed it, haha.  That would be something if I wrote all that about myself! I gladly set them straight and send them to Val's site.

So excited for the shower!

26 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah's ear network is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both me and Joel's voice as we talk to each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These is apparently good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. And in other news, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — good to know, right?  But still worth praying for all the development milestones going on during this time.

Symptoms: 

• Heartburn!!  Oh my goodness--I did not think it was possible to get this before the age of 50.  Heartburn ain't no joke--it really does burn.  It comes and goes, and it's not as painful as I'm probably making it out to be, but it's weird nonetheless.
• Realizing that Judah can't stay in the womb forever.  I haven't really thought about labor much until we went to our first baby class a few weekends ago.  After that, it was all I could think about.  It's a mixture of nervousness but excited emotions--thinking about getting to see his face finally. 
• Pregnancy brain is real--I was out at our local maternity store yesterday killing time between a shower for a friend and church.  My mother-in-law sweetly gifted me with giftcards, so I could spice up my wardrobe.  Well I spent a good hour and a half digging through racks and trying on clothes.  Now normally this isn't really a work out--but pregnant shopping IS.  I kept thinking, "Am I really out of breath from trying on clothes?!?"  Anyway!  I figure out what I want (which was a nice size amount) and get up to the register, immediately realizing that my gift cards are in my other purse!  My friend (who is also pregnant) just laughed at me and kept telling me it's OK, but I was so embarrassed and mad at myself.  Note:  I do not like shopping and our maternity store is the worst--they hound you and don't leave you alone, so I did NOT want to step foot back in there again.  So I left empty handed and have to go back today to ring them all up--thankfully they are holding them for me because if not, I would most certainly have cried.
• Pregnancy emotions are real--Joel and I had plans this weekend to go see a movie.  Needless to say, plans fell through because I misunderstood the times (why is everything 3D?? so annoying).  Anyway, I was devastated.  I couldn't explain it, but I was just so incredibly sad.  Joel kept trying to cheer me up by chalking it up to pregnancy hormones, but I kept denying that's what it was but still couldn't explain why I felt so down. We took a walk around the neighborhood, which helped, and Joel did his best to talk me through it.  He says that when "Joel husband" doesn't work, he has to bring in "Joel therapist."  I've never felt more like one of his patients, but thank God for him because after he talked me through it, I felt much better.  We watched a movie at home (Another Earth--rent it!! so good) and (eventually) laughed about how crazy I was acting.

25 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Head to heels, Judah now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if we could see it, we'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

Symptoms: 

• Nothing really new to report here!  I feel great and haven't noticed any odd pregnancy-related habits or feelings.  I'll be sure to share when I have any! :)

24 weeks/6 months [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Pray that Judah is constantly growing and getting the nutrients he needs.  I've read that he is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. Another prayer focus is his brain, which is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. Also, pray for his lungs, which are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Symptoms:

• Not much to report here!  This is partly to blame for my lack of posting--has it already been 3 weeks??   Hard to believe how fast these last few weeks during and after the holiday have flown by.  I don't so much "feel" pregnant like I did months ago, but am reminded each time he kicks.  In fact, sometimes I wake up thinking I'm not and was just dreaming the whole thing--and then I roll out of bed and remember that I used to be able to see my toes.
• I will say that I am more prone to anxiety and have a hard time controlling my emotions.  I really don't want to chalk it up to hormones because I think that's just an excuse--but it is physically harder to realize and make myself stop when I am being irrational or unreasonable.  I've only had 2 episodes that I can recall that I just let my feelings overtake me--to which I was reminded each time that I should be turning to prayer.
• I had three little (or huge) friends pop up on my face that have lasted about 2 weeks.  
• I'm obviously going to the bathroom every time I stand up, which if you know me, you know how much I can't stand doing the daily mundane must dos of going to the bathroom, brushing my teeth, taking a shower, putting on makeup, getting dressed, etc.  I do them, but sometimes I just wish our bodies didn't need so much upkeep--boy am I in for it come April!
• We started seeing Judah kick from the outside--every time I try and record it, he stops.  I know it will get more obvious as the next few months pass, so I'll be sure to share it here when I finally capture it.  Joel got to see it for the first time last night, which he kept saying how crazy it was.  I've kind of gotten use to it now, but sometimes I see a big one out of the corner of my eye and just think how incredible it all is.

Now since I haven't blogged here in a while, we took another belly shot after I hit 6 months.  Enjoy!

the one i love

Some days I gets so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement of having Judah in our lives.  Mainly, because I'm already thinking about who he'll be and what he'll be like.  One thing I pray for him is to have the same sweet, gentle, and loving spirit that his dad does.

A few mornings ago, I got into the car after Joel had an elder meeting the night before and not only was it full, but when I turned on my car, this song came on.  Without a doubt, I knew he did it on purpose (mainly because I don't have the CD in my car and it's winter, which means David Gray is on Joel's rotating playlist).  Of course  once I heard the chorus sing, "Tell the repo man / And the stars above /  You're the one I love," I started crying (thank you hormones), and thought about our wedding (David Gray's "Be Mine" was our 1st dance song), then I thought about the last 4 years and how wonderful and easy being married to Joel is, and then of course the new season of life we are currently in.  So much to be thankful for and so many memories came flooding from just a small, simple gesture.

I asked Joel a few days later if he did that on purpose and he confirmed my suspicions.  He loves music, but its the lyrics that are his favorite.  It made me think back to the first unofficial time he told me he loved me.  I don't know the name of the song, but he had made me a CD for Valentines Day a month before we started dating, and there was a certain song on there that he told me to listen to when I got in the car. The song repeated something about love, but being the clueless girl that I was, I didn't even read too much into it. Later after we had "I loved you,"  he brought it up and asked me I got it then. :)

Little did I know that it was only the beginning of him proclaiming his feelings through my stereo. I pray Judah speaks through song as well to those he loves.  It is such a wonderful way to feel loved and valued.

21 weeks [praying for Judah]

Development Prayers:
Judah now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. According to what I've been reading, it says that I may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. And that I may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. This has been so true.  Ever since last Saturday when I first felt him, it's become more frequent and more noticeable.  In fact, last night Judah was being really active while we were watching a movie and Joel put his hand over my belly and got to feel him!  He kicked about 3 times while Joel had his hand over--he thought it was the coolest thing.  :)

In other developments, Judah eyebrows and lids are present now, which is pretty incredible. 

Symptoms:

• Sleeping is hard some times and great others.  I've developed a shooting pain when I'm on my left side for too long.  I asked my doctor about it and she said it's normal and to just keep switching sides throughout the night--for.the.next.4.months! Can't complain though--I know that sleeping won't be the same for a very long time and that's ok since I'm getting such a great pay off (I'll just need to remember typing this in about 6 months).
• I continue to have lots of energy.  Maybe it's the cooler temps or the Christmas season, but I've been staying busy on my lunch breaks and when I get home.  I usually crash around 9 pm, which can be hard when we're out and about on the weekends.
• Belly is officially growing and people who didn't know I was pregnant are asking me questions--even some strangers.  
• I think I'm beginning to experience "pregnancy brain."  I notice it more at work when I'm writing and trying to think of a word that normally would come easy--it's crazy because normally I pause, think, and then another word for something that I'm trying to say appears--but now, I pause, think, and just see black space.
• Still no cravings, but I am eating satsumas or cuties all the time.  Popcorn is also another thing that I love, which I never really thought twice about before I was pregnant. And I enjoy steak and red meats more than I ever have--I'm usually a chicken or veggie kind of girl.

halfway there!

I got this in my email today from babycenter.com.  I can't believe it's already that time!

 You're halfway there. Hooray! The first trimester is over, the second is well under way, and you've probably got your energy back. Celebrate by splurging on a pedicure, a prenatal massage, or a new outfit that shows off your baby bump. Now's also the time to hang out with friends, go on a baby moon, and live it up before the baby arrives about 20 weeks from now.