23 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!!

Dear Baby Gracyn,
Mommy is 23 weeks pregnant! WOOT! One more week to viability! Of course we in no way want to meet you this soon, but it is reassuring to know that we are getting closer to that magic number where you will have a chance of survival outside of the womb. I looked back at your cousin, Nevaeh's blog and noticed that I posted news about our nearest big city being more and more successful at saving babies born as early as 22 weeks, with a lot of medical intervention....that was 3 years ago!!!! :-).

According to Babycenter your sense of movement is well developed by now. This explains how your sleep patterns changed when Mommy had all of her restrictions lifted due to the placenta migrating off of the cervix....Mommy started her 12 hour nursing shifts at night....and her busy night movement rocks you to sleep here and there with period of active wake time.... Especially in the morning when she tries to get some sleep....You are wide awake! You are now more than 11 inches long and should weigh just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), Mommy is able to see you squirm and kick! The blood vessels in your lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing you for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as the dogs barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze you when you hear them outside the womb. At least we hope not! The dogs are loud when company arrives!

Mommy has noticed that her ankles and feet are starting to swell, especially at the end of the day or during the heat of summer....Already 90 degrees and it's only May....YIKES. I hate to see what August brings!. (BTW- walking around at a zoo at nearly 6 months pregnant = bad idea!) This is due to sluggish circulation in the legs — coupled with changes in the blood chemistry that may cause some water retention — may result in swelling, also known as edema. Her body will get rid of the extra fluid after she gives birth to you....this is why Mommy pees frequently and will most likely sweat a lot for a few days after delivery. In the meantime, Mommy can lie on her left side or put her feet up when she can! I actually gave her a foot massage the other day to try and help the swelling go down! I must love her, because I HATE feet....except cute little baby feet!

One week to viability!
Can't wait to post then!
Love Always, Grandma Dason!

22w5d- BIG KICKS!

Look on the left side of the belly!

22w5d- FUN IN THE SUN!

22w4d-BABY BUMP!

The belly is measuring 38 3/4 inches round this week....Sometimes it measures bigger.....Must depend on how the baby is laying at the time! :-)

PAMPERS

Baby buy this week! I couldn't resist. I tried holding out until 24 weeks but......Grandpa and I plan on buying a pack of diapers each week to help build up a nice stash over time!

22w1d ULTRASOUND VIDEO

22w1d- ULTRASOUND

Great news!!!! The previa has resolved itself and all restrictions are lifted!!!! Mommy and Gracyn are healthy! Mommy has gained 14 lbs. so far but the doctor said she will likely lose a few pounds now that she can go back to normal activity and work and not to worry if she does. The 12 hour nursing shifts start back up tomorrow! The next OB visit is in one month on June 19th and guess what?.... We get to see Miss Gracyn in 3D/4D ultrasound as part of their regular standard of care during that visit! WOOT! Next month's visit is also the one hour glucose test. The sugary drink is in the fridge already! Hopefully she passes that with flying colors!

22 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!!

Dear Gracyn,

According to Babycenter.com you are about 11 inches long (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound!  You are starting to look like a miniature newborn. Your lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and you are even developing tiny tooth buds beneath your gums. Your eyes have formed, but your irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

If we could see inside Mommy's belly, we would be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers your body and the deep wrinkles on your skin, which you'll sport until you add a padding of fat to fill them in. I remember seeing these deep wrinkles on your cousin, Nevaeh during one of her 3D/4D ultrasounds and I worried that she wouldn't fill them in with baby fat.....now I know differently! :-) Inside your belly, your pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily!

Mommy and Daddy had a Lamaze class this past weekend.....and they get to see you on an ultrasound tomorrow!  I hope they get a video for me to watch and of course some pictures to post!  I am looking forward to seeing how long you are now and how much you might weigh.  Most importantly, we are hoping to see that the placenta has moved off of Mommy's cervix so she can go back to normal activity and work. 

Love you bunches!
Grandma Dason

NURSERY CHANDELIER

Grandpa Baker put up this baby chandelier from Babies R Us. It was a plug in swag light, but Mommy wanted it to hang in the center of the room. Grandpa Baker worked his magic and walla...a hanging chandelier.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, JOE

Joe celebrated his 24th birthday with dinner and a "pony ride" at Joe's Crab Shack. Earlier today I asked Caitlin if she was getting excited about the child birth classes tomorrow....and her response was....."To be honest, I am more excited about eating at Joe's Crab Shack tonight!"

VERA BRADLEY !

Caitlin got one of the larger Vera Bradley purses to use as a diaper bag. She bought the matching pieces to keep extra sets of clothes and baby meds in. I think she is going to get the matching clutch/wallet to go inside....this way the diaper-bag does double the duty for Mommy and baby!

21w4d- BABY BUMP

Measuring about the same as last week 38 " round. The upper belly is filling out now and the belly button is getting shallow! Mommy's spray tan from last weekend's wedding is coming off and shows in the belly shot....even though it looks funny, we didn't want to miss the belly bump post this week!

21 WEEKS PREGNANT!!!

Dear Gracyn,

Mommy can truly say she is now counting down the weeks.  21 weeks done and 19 more to go, unless you are delivered by an early scheduled c-section due to Mommy's placenta previa issues....If so, Mommy can shave a few weeks off the count down!  Either way, we pray that the pregnancy makes it to the 37 week full term status with no  complications due to the previa.

You are  now weighing about three-quarters of a pound and should be approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. Mommy feels you practicing martial arts as your initial fluttering movements have turned into full-fledged kicks and nudges.  Mommy has also discovered a pattern to your activity as she gets to know you better. You are typically active throughout the day and quiet during the night.  Mommy hopes these good awake, sleep patterns continue once you are born.   In other developments, your eyebrows and lids are present now, and your vagina has begun to form as well!

Mommy is enjoying her pregnancy now and she glows... She isn't too big to be uncomfortable, yet big enough for strangers to know that she is definitely pregnant!  The third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.....so she better enjoy this phase as long as she can.  Actually when I think back to when I was pregnant with your Mommy, I remember being very uncomfortable in the 3rd trimester, but never wished my pregnancy away.  I wanted to soak up every minute of her movements in me. Pregnancy is magical and a true gift from God. Hard to believe that was almost 23 years ago.....seems like yesterday!

One thing Mommy has noticed is her first appearance of varicose veins on the bend of her knee (back of leg). She is sad about this, but  truly it is unavoidable....  As the pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in her legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of the veins to relax, can make the problem worse. Mommy is more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them.....Guess what?....I have them and so does Great Grandma Martin!  I wouldn't be surprised if they get worse with each successive pregnancy and as Mommy ages. Hereditary genes STINK!  To help prevent or minimize the varicose veins, Mommy needs to exercise daily (lightly since she has a partial previa), prop up her feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on her left side, and wear maternity support hose!  HaHa  Now this I have to see!

Mommy may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on her ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.....Sadly mine did not!  :-(

On a happier note....Mommy and Daddy will have their Child Birth class on Saturday.....I wonder how Daddy will handle the birthing video, let alone the real thing!  HAHA....  Also....8 more days until Mommy and Daddy get to see you on the next ultrasound!  Prayers that the placenta has migrated off the cervix.  So far it's been 2.5 months with no blood from the previa!

Love you,
Grandma Dason

MOTHER'S DAY 2012

Uncle Zac, Grandma Thompson, Mommy and Daddy!

HALF WAY THERE!

BELLY BUMP OVER THE LAST 5 MONTHS!

GRACYN 'S FIRST WEDDING

During the ceremony, Gracyn was kicking Mommy!

20w4d-BELLY BUMP

The 5 month belly is measuring 38 inches round!

5 MONTHS!

The belly is an official shelf now!  HAHA!  By the way, Daddy felt the baby move for the first time tonight!  He said, "Gracyn, why you kicking Daddy?!'

CRIB!

The crib is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!  It was delivered today.... Daddy and Mommy put it together tonight!

DRESSER/CHANGER!

Yes, that is Mommy with a drill/screwdriver putting the dresser drawers together!  Also pictured are Grandpa Thompson and Grandma Dason.  We have the hutch, but it is not put together yet.  I'll post the picture of it when Daddy has time to put it together!

20w0d- SMALL KICKS

I FELT THE BABY MOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME! I am one happy Grandma!

MORE FURNITURE

Grandpa Baker came over today and put the tall dresser together. Both Grandpa Dason and Grandpa Thompson put the dresser/changing table together tonight but we are still waiting on the hutch.... So I'll post that picture later.  The wall decorations were purchased at Hobby Lobby on sale for 50% off!  ($6.00 each)  Can't beat that price! And....they match the bird theme perfectly!

20 WEEKS PREGNANT- OMG!!!

Dear Miss Gracyn,

Mommy is now 5 months pregnant and halfway through the pregnancy with you!  Wow!!  Time flies.  You probably weigh about 10 1/2 ounces now. You are also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (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.)

You are swallowing more these days, which is good practice for your digestive system.....You get the hiccups every now and then!  You are also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in your bowels, and we will see it in your first soiled diaper.  

Now that Mommy has hit the halfway mark in her pregnancy. The top of her uterus should be  about level with the belly button, however, last week the doctor said the uterus was measuring a little over 2 weeks ahead.  Mommy isn't convinced since she feels her fundus more near the belly button....I wonder what the measurement will be at the next OB visit on May 22.  Mommy has also gained around 8 lbs so far....which is right on track with appropriate weight gain.   She can expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on.

It is hard to believe that now is the time to sign up for childbirth classes and breastfeeding classes.  I think Mommy and Daddy are  hoping to sign up for a May 19th class.   Hopefully the class isn't full yet.  If it is, then they may have to wait for awhile because Daddy will be at some National Guard Training in June.

Your nursery furniture has been ordered and is trickling in. Hopefully by mid week, the complete set will be here and ready for assembly.  Luckily it didn't take 12 weeks to ship like some companies do!  Can't wait to see it all in your room!

Love you much!  Grandma Dason

19w5d- THE ROCKER!

Daddy helped Grandpa Dason put the rocker together for the nursery! Mommy couldn't wait to try it out!

19w4d- BABY BUMP

The belly continues to grow 37.25 inches round. :-)

19w2d- MOVEMENT CAUGHT ON VIDEO

About 18 seconds into the video after Caitlin takes her hand off her belly, (where her fingertips were) watch the left side of her belly.... You will see a very little kick.... Can't wait for these movements to get bigger and more obvious!

19w1d- OB VISIT

Caitlin had her monthly OB checkup.  All is fine (except for the partial previa) and blood pressure is normal this time.  Weight gain so far is 8lbs.  Not bad for being almost half way through!  If it is true that she should gain approximately 1 lb. per week from here on out....then she should be right around 28lbs. total....Which is a good healthy weight gain.   :-) 

Even though Gracyn is measuring only a few days ahead of schedule, Caitlin's fundal height is measuring 21.5 weeks rather than 19 weeks.  The OB didn't seemed concerned and said a few weeks above or below the mark is not unusual. 

Rather than waiting until the end of June (3rd Trimester), the OB is willing to do another ultrasound on May 22nd to see if the placenta is migrating off the cervix. Sometimes a few weeks makes all the difference.  This appointment will be one month from her previous ultrasound.....FINGERS CROSSED!  If not, then she will be checked again at the end of June as originally planned.  The only positive out of this situation.......ULTRASOUNDS TO SEE OUR SWEET BABY GIRL!  :-)