Week 25

I had a doctor’s appointment this week. It took me longer to get there because of the holiday traffic than the actual appointment took.

This appointment was a simple routine appointment. Pee-in-a-cup, stand on the scale and get your blood pressure taken. All were o.k. with my BP at 104/60 and my weight gain right on target.

Dr. Radpour came in a measured me and listened to the heartbeat. I was measuring right on target for 24 weeks and the heartbeat was 150 bpm.

I asked Dr. Radpour a couple of questions, one being about induction. I am not a huge fan of induction and wanted to know what the practice feels about it. He said that we will discuss it more when I get further along but they won’t let me go any further than 1 week late which means I won’t have the baby probably beyond April 17th or so. As I sit here and write, the countdown clock is ticking away and it’s saying 108 days…..yikes, they will go by fast! We need to get some things done!

My next appointment will be the 18th of January and I will have to do the gestational diabetes testing.

By the 25th week the baby probably weighs about 1 ½ lbs and is around 8 ¾ inches long. The hands have fully developed on the little one and are complete with fingernails and the ability to make a fist. With these hands the baby is exploring its environment including the umbilical cord. However, the nerve connections have a long way to go and the movements may not be very coordinated yet.

Week 24

Sometimes I feel like I have nothing new to write. The baby continues to grow and move. We just hope it doesn’t keep up the “schedule” that it is on now. It is mostly active in the evening and night time. We are hoping that it won’t have it’s days and nights mixed up!

By this week the baby probably weighs 1 ¼ pounds and is about 8 ½ inches long. The baby continues to gain weight and look more like an ‘infant”. It is during this time that the baby may begin to sense whether he or she is upside-down or right side up in the amniotic sac. When we had our ultrasound at 20 weeks the little one was breech with the head up near my bellybutton. The baby can sense this because the inner ear, which controls balance has now developed.

I continue to feel great, especially after getting a 24 hour flu-bug last week. I’m not sure Travis would agree, however as my emotions have tended to be all over the place. Right now I can still blame them on being pregnantJ He has been a great trooper and never said anything but only asks what he can do to help.

This week is another doctor’s appointment. I think it will be pretty much a routine appointment and won’t take much time. I’ll let you know how it goes next week.

Week 23

Well, this week one friend told me I looked pregnant as I wore my first maternity skirt to church. Later that evening another friend told me that if she didn’t know I was pregnant she’d never guess. Hmm, which one do I believe? Check it out for yourself in the picture in my new sweater (Thanks mom!)

By this week the little one weighs about 1 pound and should be about 8 inches long. Unbelievable! No wonder I can feel it kick so much and sometimes even see it move now. Travis has confirmed that he definitely felt it move now.

The body of the baby is getting “plumper” as it is putting on fat but it still has a ways to go before it will look like a “healthy baby” because the skin is still wrinkled.

This week the baby’s lungs are beginning to develop rapidly. Although, if born at this point, there is a small chance the little one could live but not without may trails and obstacles to go through. The lungs have a long ways to go before they will be able to function on their own.

Week 22

Today starts our 22nd week. We can really tell that the baby has grown in the last couple of weeks. We take weekly pictures of my ever expanding belly and we saw a big difference between weeks 19-22. I am nearly out of “regular” clothes and will have to start wearing maternity clothes before we all know it.

I have also felt the baby move a lot. One evening especially it was moving around quite a bit. Travis even got to feel it by putting his hand on my tummy. I can’t wait until we can actually see it move.

At this point the baby is about 7 ½ inches long and weighs about 12 ounces. During this week the senses of taste and touch are making big progress. Taste buds are actually forming on the baby’s tongue and the brain and nerve ending are mature enough to process the sensation of touch.

By this week the eyelids and eyebrows are developed as well as the fingernails.

The "Big Scan"

Today was our 20 week ultrasound. We waited about 25 minutes before getting called back and poor Travis was exhausted after working with a friend all night last night. It was all he could do to keep his eyes open!

Once in there we were able to see the little one moving around a bit, but not nearly as much as last time. We also saw it yawn and swallow. We weren't sure if it was just waking up or trying to go to sleep:)

The ultrasound tech measured the stomach, bladder, brain, head and femur bone. All measured within the normal range and with a full bladder we could see that the kidneys are working just fine.

We got an estimate of weight and it was approximately 0.6 lbs. The heartrate was 162 bpm which is in the high end of normal. We also learned that according to it's size it is measuring 19 week along. According to my "Chattanooga" due date of April 10, I'm 20 weeks but 19 weeks is in the "margin of error" as Dr. Radpour put it and just nothing to worry about.

After the ultrasound I went through the normal routine of blood presssure, I think it was 102/60 today. And they weighed me again, I've put on a couple of pounds since my last appointment!

Everyone is probably wondering if we "accidentally" found out the sex of the baby and we didn't. The ultrasound tech said that she didn't even go there and didn't know herself. So we'll all have to wait a few more months:)

Only 2 more appointments that are 4 weeks apart then I start going in every 2 weeks.
scanned.

Week 19

By this week the kidneys are developed enough to make urine which is excreted into the amniotic sac. The hearing has also developed well enough to hear various sounds. The loudest are my tummy growling and heartbeating. It also may hear conversations and be able to pick out our voices.

At this point the brain is also developing fast. It has probably developed enough now to make movements such as sucking a thumb or moving his/her head. It also moves involuntarily .

The little one should be between 5 and 6 inches long and weigh about 7 ounces. Between now and birth the baby will more than likely increase it’s weight by more than 15 times!

Another Doctors Appointment

This week was another doctor’s appointment. We went in to see Dr. Brown and the receptionist told us that Dr. Brown wasn’t in that week. Hmmmm. Luckily they had re-scheduled me with Dr. Radpour. You see, after I had made my appointment to see Dr. Brown while in Minneapolis, I still had my Minneapolis phone number. The office tried to call me and let me know that Dr. Brown would not be in but couldn’t get a hold of me. They apologized but I feel it’s more my fault then theirs.

We went in, talked with the nurse as she got my blood pressure (100/something. She said it was good) and did the weight thing. I have gained 2 lbs since my last appointment. The doctor didn’t say anything so I’m assuming I’m fine in that area.

Dr. Radpour then met us in his office and discussed my past history, transferred information to a new chart and asked if we had any questions. Oh yeah, he changed my due date to April 10. I say that the baby is going to come when the baby wants to come!

We then headed off to get a quick heartbeat and measure my tummy but the only room open was the small ultrasound room. Since we were there….let’s do a quick ultrasound. Dr. Radpour estimated the heartrate to be 140 bpm. We saw the little one moving around and squirming. Travis asked the doctor if it was him moving the ultrasound wand around and Dr. Radpour assured us it was the baby. While doing the ultrasound it’s little head was up between the placenta and uterus wall. It looked like it was going to get a kink in it’s neck! The spine was very clear and visible and we could see the arms and legs also.

Dr. Radpour said everything looked perfect and scheduled us for our “big scan” on the 20th in which the ultrasound tech will measure every little part of the baby and check the kidneys, etc. Dr. Radpour said to be sure to mention that we didn’t want to find out what it is because otherwise we may find out!

We really liked Dr. Radpour and I asked a friend what she thought of him and it looks like we’re just going to stay with him instead of changing back to Dr. Brown. In the end, neither one will probably deliver us anyways.

By now everyone keeps asking if I felt the baby move and I believe I did Friday night while sitting in the chair. I can’t wait until it grows a bit more and I can feel it more often.

The other question people keep asking is if I’m in maternity clothes yet and the answer is no. At church this week some friends said that I don’t even look pregnant. I’m just in that in-between stage where my old clothes don’t fit and maternity clothes are WAY too big. I had to break down and by one more pair of slacks for work that are one size bigger than I normally wear today.

Week 17

I can definitely tell the little one is growing! It’s official- I can’t wear any blue jeans from pre-pregnancy and it happened in just one week. Needless to say, I’ve been wearing a lot of sweatpants and one pair of jeans that I bought that was a size bigger. After unpacking, my closet is quite empty!

By this week the baby is about the size of your hand spread open wide, no wonder I’m getting bigger! This is the week that fat begins to form under the skin of the baby, this will also continue until birth. Fat is very important in a baby because it helps with the body’s heat production as well as metabolism. This fat also helps to keep the baby warm after birth.

Again, on a personal note, we moved into our duplex on Sunday. What a relief! We feel blessed to be able to find a place that shares 5 acres and is very quiet. We are also very close to the church and friends. This week we are finishing up unpacking and finding homes for everything. We are truly blessed to have such fantastic friends who housed us for so long. We will never be able to repay their generosity.

Week 16

By this week the baby is 4-5" long and weighs nearly 3 ounces. I haven't noticed a huge difference in my belly although in the evenings it feels much bigger. I finally broke down and bought a bigger pair of blue jeans although I can still slip them on and off without unbuttoning them. Needless to say, I had to buy a belt. The girl in the fitting room laughed when I said that I hope to grow into them.

At this time the baby has developed the skeletal and nervous system to coorindate limb and body movement. The facial muscles have also developed so that it can make a variety of expressions.

The fingernails have also formed and lanugo, or soft hair, has also started to grow on the baby.

On a personal note. We have arrived in Chattanooga safe and sound have have unloaded all of our stuff. We spent yesterday with friends and it seemed like we had never left which was great. We went to the annual bonfire with our friends last night and had a wonderful time. This week the first priority it jobs and apartment!

Week 16

By this week the baby is 4-5" long and weighs nearly 3 ounces. I haven't noticed a huge difference in my belly although in the evenings it feels much bigger. I finally broke down and bought a bigger pair of blue jeans although I can still slip them on and off without unbuttoning them. Needless to say, I had to buy a belt. The girl in the fitting room laughed when I said that I hope to grow into them.

At this time the baby has developed the skeletal and nervous system to coorindate limb and body movement. The facial muscles have also developed so that it can make a variety of expressions.

The fingernails have also formed and lanugo, or soft hair, has also started to grow on the baby.

On a personal note. We have arrived in Chattanooga safe and sound have have unloaded all of our stuff. We spent yesterday with friends and it seemed like we had never left which was great. We went to the annual bonfire with our friends last night and had a wonderful time. This week the first priority it jobs and apartment!

Quite a Suprise for Me!

We spent Sabbath with my family at meetings about 45 minutes away. Afterwards, my Dad was in quite a rush to get home and tend to the turkeys. When we got home there was a message from my friend Alyssa saying that they had planned recreation for the church and they were calling everyone.

I was in no rush to get there being I thought everyone else would be late. I also just put on an old pair of jeans and sweatshirt. I was going to be comfy being that I had dressed up all day.

Travis and my Dad had decided to stay at the house and they said they would come later. When my mom and I arrived at the church I commented on how many people were there.

We walked into the room and it took me a couple of seconds but I soon realized that it was a baby shower for me! My friends had planned this for me before I left for Chattanooga. I was shocked and very happy!

There were about 20 ladies of the church there including my grandma who my dad had quickly run and got before my mom and I got to the church.

After a quick game in which we had to create baby names from “Travis Heidi Renfro” (the winner came up with 25!) and we had to guess how many candy corns were in a sippy cup I opened gifts. There were so many gifts. We are definitely on our way to having everything we need for the baby.

My friend Alyssa gave me a very special quilt. When Travis and I were married she had ordered extra material for the bridesmaid dress she had. She didn’t end up using it but saved it ever since and made me a quilt from it. It’s adorable!

We had great snacks including crackers and cheese, snack mix, fruit and ice cream to make ice cream sundaes (yuuummm!).

I just can’t get over how everyone pulled it off and I had such a great time. My friends were great to think of us in such a special way, especially on a short time frame! Thanks especially to Alyssa and Katina for making it happen.

2nd Doctor's Appointment

Today was the second of many doctor's appointments. I'll admit I was a bit anxious because there are no obvious signs that the baby is o.k.

Of course, when you go, you have to step on the dreaded scale. The nurse said, "Don't worry your pretty head about it, you're doing just fine." We'll leave my weight and weight gain at that.

The nurse took my blood pressure (98/60) and while waiting for the doctor she gave me a flu shot. I guess that makes me ready for winter.

When the doctor came in we discussed my due date. Being that my first appointment was with the nurse practitioner I hadn't discussed it with the doctor. He changed my due date by a day but then wrote +-2 days by it. I'm just going to stick to April 14th as my "official" due date.

The doctor tried to listen to the heart beat. The little one moved around so much that it took the doctor a little bit to get a good count. The heartbeat is 160 bpm. The doctor mentioned that it was too early in the pregnancy to determine if it's a boy or girl because heartrates are always high at this point.

After the exam the doctor mentioned that he thought I was a bit bigger than a lady he had just finished seeing. He wanted to be sure that there was only one. So, we headed to the ultrasound room. There, he determined that the baby is growing right on track and he was able to print out six pictures for us. One of them is actually of the face . He also determined that yes, there is only just one.

So, things went very well. The baby and I are right on schedule. He wished me luck with my new doctor and told me to be sure to send them a birth announcement.

My next appointment will be with Dr. Brown in Chattanooga on November 10th.

Week 14

The little one is already 3 1/4 to 4" long or about the size of a fist. Wow! It also probably weighs about 1 ounce.

This week there doesn't seem to be much new specific growth although one of our books did say that the reproductive organs will really develop this week. It also mentions that at the end of the week the baby's roof of the mouth has formed.

I am not sure if I mentioned before, but we have decided not to find out the sex of the baby - we're being old fashioned and are waiting until the birth to find out. We do have a little boys name picked out but we are struggling with a girls name. Luckily we have a few months to figure it out.

Today is sewing day and my mom and I have begun to work on the crib ruffle and bumpers. It's exciting to see it all come together.

Week 13

Travis and I read this morning in our book that the baby is about the size of a peach. It seems just a few days ago that we read it was the size of a lime! The little one sure grows fast and I think I'm just beginning to experience some of that growth. I think some of my muscles are trying to expand a bit.

At week 13 the baby's eyes have moved more towards the center of the head instead of the sides. Oh, and the head will become much more proportional in the next few months. At this point the head is about 1/2 the size of the entire body. By week 30 it will be 1/3 the body and by birth it will be just 1/4 of the baby's body.

Tissue that will become bone is now starting to develop, especially around the baby's head, arms and legs. If we were able to see the little one we might even be able to see ribs at this point - a miracle!

With our recent decision to move back to Chattanooga it meant arranging a new doctor and appointments. I have decided on a doctor that many of my friends have and are very pleased with. I felt very fortunate when I called and was able to get an appointment just two days after my previously scheduled appointment in Minneapolis. That is one less thing I have to worry about during the move!

Week 12- End of the 1st Trimester

I can't believe I am almost finished with my first trimester! I have been so blessed to be feeling fantastic! I think that has helped make the time go by incredibly fast. Pregnancy books tell you the time goes by fast and to enjoy each moment - they sure are right although I may change my tune once I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant.

By the end of this week the little one will be nearly 3 inches long and weighing 4/5 ounces. It's also during this week that the face takes on further definition with the chin and nose becoming more defined.

It's amazing to think that at this time the digestive system is capable of pushing food through the bowels and able to absorbe sugars. Stimulation of the fetus in certain spots may cause the little one to squint, open it's mouth or move its fingers and toes.

Week 11

My weekly books tell me that this week starts a period of rapid growth for the little one. From this point until the 20th week the baby will increase his or her weight 30x’s and will triple in length! Now the crown-to-rump size is up to 2 ½ inches long and it weights approximately 0.3 ounces. It has now grown to the size of a lime.

I have decided that we will make the baby bedding (bumpers, ruffle, etc.) so my Mom and I are going shopping this weekend to look for material. I'm excited!

Week 10

Can you believe we’re already at week 10? This time has gone by fast! By the 10th week the little one is about 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ inches long from crown-to-rump and is about the size of a small plum.

At the beginning of this week all of the vital organs have formed (can you believe it?). There are now separated fingers and toes and the bones of the skeleton are now forming.

We've started to look at baby furniture, etc. Luckily we still have lots of time to figure out what we want and where we want to get it from.

Ready or not...

We are so happy to announce that we are going to have a little one to hold (and keep us (She means Heidi) up at night) in the middle of April. Both Travis and I are extremely happy and excited about the life that that will soon be coming into our lives.

Our first appointment was on September 6th. To determine that there was only one little bambino there we had an ultrasound. That showed us that yes indeed, there is only one. At that time we were able to see the little heart beating and beating. It was an awesome sight! You can see a picture of the little one. At our first appointment it was determined that I am 9 weeks pregnant and our "official" due date is April 14th.

Everyone has been asking how I am feeling. Well, I'm feeling great. It's Travis that is having morning sickness. At first I got a bit sick if I didn't eat but even that has gone away. Now I'm just h-u-n-g-r-y!

We are so happy to share this experience with you so please check back often for more updates!