Tuesday, April 29, 2008

A time to uproot...

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot"

Well, that time is approaching!! We are officially looking for someone to take my place at work. Matt and I decided years ago that I would stay home with our children and it is so exciting to be approaching that task!! My last day will be at the end of May (God willing)...and my bosses want someone to start a month before I leave...so, we are currently in the interviewing process. It's kind of humbling knowing that these talented, educated people are interviewing to take my place!! It makes me think that when I leave they will all be like, "what was she doing here??". hehehe. I have so enjoyed working in this office and it's going to be really hard to move on, but so exciting to be turning the page! I think back on the last couple of years and thank God for a time of peace and progress! Working here has helped me in many ways! and I will carry away some very happy memories away from this great place!! :)

Eli and I are good. I have been feeling some growing pains...and he is really not interested in sleeping at night, but things are going so well!! and what a blessing to feel him wiggle and kick!! :) In fact, Saturday night was Matt's first time to feel him kick! It was so exciting!! We are so excited!!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Week 28

From my weekly email...

Sorry for the delay in getting this email out. It has been a tough week. We went in last Thursday to meet with the specialist only to find that we have started down that slippery slope of my cervix giving way and the possibility of labor and delivery coming a bit early. This is something the doctors have been waiting for. They remind me that I do have an incompetent cervix and this is what happens when you have that medical condition. The great news is that I am greater than 28 weeks...which means, if our little boy were born today he would live. He would have to spend some extra time in the hospital, but we have passed 100% survivability. For now, we are praying for 34 weeks to come quickly. We would be so pleased if God would keep him tucked away until then as that brings a "full term" baby. Please pray with us that we can have a fully developed baby boy...that his lungs and blood vessels will be ready for this world! He is hanging on for now...and I am not in labor (thank God!!)...So, for now, we wait to see what God's plan is (Jeremiah 29:11-13) because we are convinced his plan is perfect!! Please pray with us as we wait (holding our breath!)!
All our love! Ash

How your baby's growing:
By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

cough, cough, cough!!

OMIGOODNESS!! I have been so sick this week! I went in to have my glucose test last Monday...and I FAILED! So, I had to go in on Tuesday for the full work-up...I passed! Thank God!! but in the process I picked up a virus from one of the trillion people who was waiting with me at the hospital!! GRRRR!!! So, after a week of coughing and sick sick I am back to work! It has been rough! My abdominals have never been so sore!! :( I went in to meet with the dr. on Monday and everything looks ok with my cervix/stitch and the baby...and I should recover nicely with rest! So, that is good news! No need to take any dangerous medicine to get better!! YEAY! On the bright side, I got a lot of reading in and some stamping too!! :) So, I am ready to get back to work!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Week 27

From my weekly email...

Hi All. It has been a stressful week for me. My meeting with the specialist last Thursday brought less than perfect results on the length of my cervix. I lost 1.5cm in 2 weeks. The blessing is that my cervix was so long that losing 1.5cm wasn't that big of a deal. The specialist is still very optimistic that I will carry to 34 weeks, which will bring a "full term" baby with no need for NICU. So, even though it was a trying week, we are still in good shape! and everything is looking good.
Please continue keeping us in your prayers. We are feeling confident, but cautious!

Your pregnancy: 27 weeks

How your baby's growing:
This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Week 26

From my weekly email...

Hi all! I am happy to report, it has been a great week! Baby Eli is growing and moving! I am actually beginning to feel defined movements from him...like a kick or stretch. I can't see bumps where his little hands and feet push out on my belly yet, but I can tell it is approaching! I am feeling good! Just having some really bad leg cramps at night and some back pain, but those are my only real complaints! The doctor is happy with my progress and will continue monitoring me every other week. Today I will take Matt's mom and grandma to the specialist with me to see the ultrasound! They are so excited! They are here enjoying New Orleans today. I sent them off on the trolley this morning to tour the city! I will be working until 2 or so, when we go to the dr. I have notified work that I will be leaving after baby! It feels so good to know I can be home with him! So, things are going to get hectic around here in preparation of me leaving...as our senior employee at that point will have been here since August 2007. ash

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. The nerve pathways in her ears are developing, which means her response to sounds is growing more consistent. Her lungs are developing now, too, as she continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when she's born and takes that first breath of air. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.