December Photo Project Day #12

Bags packed and ready to head to the hospital (yes, I am an overpacker).

Showered With Love

Sierra and I were blessed today with another baby shower, this one thrown by Molly and hosted by Stacy. I am truly thankful to have friends who are willing and ready to celebrate baby #4 with me!

Some of the kids eating their snacks.
Crazy Caleb!
Jordanna holding Audrey.
Opening presents.



And closer shots of some of the handmade gifts.

A pillow with her name on it.

A yellow blanket.
And a quilt made by Grammy.
Now all we need is a baby!

December Photo Project Day #9

38 weeks and 5 days pregnant. Almost there!

Pre-Baby Checklist

Already Done:
4 weeks of lesson plans
2 weeks of copies for school
Christmas decorations
Wrapped all the presents I have
Packed Sierra's hospital bag
Washed and put away Sierra's clothes
Washed and put away Sierra's diapers (planning to use cloth again)
Installed Sierra's car seat (actually I just didn't uninstall it the last time I used it while babysitting)
Set up changing station in our bedroom (I use this when my babies are little and still sleeping in my room. Also I'll use it during the afternoon when Jordanna is napping in the girls' room.)
Made several meals for the freezer

To Do:
2 more weeks of copies for school
Wrap the rest of the presents that are still to be shipped
Shop for stocking stuffers
Finish addressing Christmas cards (about halfway finished)
Finish packing my hospital bag
Put bassinet part into Pack N' Play (I can't actually do this yet until I finish babysitting)
Leave instructions about the care and feeding of the big three kids
Go to two baby showers
Host Jordanna's birthday party

What am I forgetting?

35 Weeks

Pregnancy Week 35: All About Baby

At 35 weeks, your baby is considered full-term and she looks developed, however, The March of Dimes considers babies born up to 36 weeks as "late preterm" babies born before 38 weeks are at a higher risk for feeding difficulty and other issues. It is important for you and your baby to be monitored closely by your pediatrician and/or lactation consultant. The soft, fuzzy hairs that once covered her body begin to disappear. She continues to add fat layers, which will help her stay warm once she's out of the womb. During these last weeks, your baby is developed sleeping patterns (and they often have little to do with night and day!)

How Big Is Baby?

Your baby weighs in a little over 5 pounds and stretches to around 18 inches (crown to heel).

The Fourth Time Around

One would think that pregnancy the fourth time around would be old news. But, really, it's still amazing. Still amazing that this huge belly, with all its associated discomforts,
will soon give way to a precious baby. Still amazing to feel hiccups or a tiny foot in my ribs (where it has been most of the day). Still amazing that the God of the universe is knitting together new life, our Sierra Grace, inside of me.

Psalm 139:13-16
¹³For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me,
when as yet there was none of them.

30 Weeks

Pregnancy Week 30: All About Baby

Your baby's face looks much like it will when she's born. She still needs to fill out more to get the characteristic chubby infant cheeks, but she's on her way. She can move her head, open her eyes, and make breathing movements through her open nostrils (although no air comes in).

How Big Is Baby?

If your little one were born today, she'd have a good chance for survival at about 3 pounds and a little over 15 inches long (crown to heel).

25 Weeks

Pregnancy Week 25: All About Baby

Your baby-to-be's lungs are developing rapidly, although she'd probably need a little help breathing if she were born at this point. Her respiratory system continues to develop, her nostrils are open, and she can breathe—but she won't take her first breath of air until delivery day. By your 25th week of pregnancy, her reproductive organs are formed. Her skin is translucent and wrinkled, and she can hear your stomach when it gurgles and your voice when you sing. Your baby is becoming more aware of how she can move—she's wiggling her fingers and toes!

How Big Is Baby?

Your baby has grown to about 1.5 pounds, she's around 13.5 inches long (crown to heel). She's about the size of a loaf of bread.

And here are the grumpy Daddy and Jordanna who took my picture.

20 Weeks

By week 20, your baby-to-be is gearing up for the next phase in his development—filling out. His organs are getting into their proper places. His kidneys are now in position with their familiar bean shape. His testes (or ovaries for girls) have reached their position. His brain continues to form and grow. His teeth are beginning to appear, and he can swallow. If you haven't been able to feel him move, chances are you'll be feeling him move more and more over the coming weeks.

Baby is about 10 inches long (crown to heel) and around 10 ounces.

New Haircut and 17 Weeks Belly

Fifteen Weeks

At week 15, your baby stretches his limbs and bends at his elbows. He's getting big enough that you can feel many of these movements.

This week your baby is roughly the size of a small apple or orange. His bones are continuing to grow and lengthen. While he looks more like a baby, his skin is still thin and translucent with his veins visible.

Your baby is also beginning to grow lanugo, a very fine hair. It will keep growing until around the 26th gestational week of pregnancy (that's week 28 of your pregnancy).

Ten Weeks

Week 10 marks a milestone for your baby-to-be. This first part of fetal development is all about organization. All your baby-to-be's cells have been directed to their places—brain tissue is growing rapidly, muscles are forming, fingers and toes are becoming defined. Your baby-to-be looks less like an embryo (or an alien) and more like the baby in miniature that he is. He's getting bigger, too.

This week your little one is about 1 1/4 inches long and weighs in at .04 ounce. He's about the size of a red grape.

Last Belly Shot

We are heading to hospital in the morning to be induced (if she doesn't decide to come tonight), so here's one last belly shot before we get to meet our baby girl.

Menu Plan Monday

Plan A -Have the baby so people will bring me meals.

Plan B - Scrounge around to see what I can find. Avoid going to the grocery store by myself with two kiddos at all costs. Maybe convince Dave to take us out to eat one night.

And here's my to-do-list for the week -
Plan A - Have baby

Plan B - Survive

Hope everyone has a great week!

I Can't Think of a Good Post Title

Here are the cuties who woke me up way too early Saturday morning.
Since I was up, I decided to make a double batch of waffles for the freezer. We spent Saturday puttering around the house, doing some laundry, and trying to decide if Alexa was feeling any better. She seemed to be doing okay, so Dave and I went out on a date Saturday night as planned, while Molly and Nick kept the kids.

First, we went to see New Moon at the theater. It was good, but we were reminded why we usually watch movies in the comfort of our own home. Movies are SO expensive, and so is the popcorn. And no one will pause the movie in a theater for the pregnant woman who has to go the bathroom. And the chairs really aren't that comfortable. Anyway, after the movie, we had dinner at Ippolito's, which was very yummy! It's not often that I can talk Dave into Italian food, but they had calzones on the menu, so he had one of those.

Sunday morning, we met the kids at church when we got there. I'm not sure they particularly noticed our arrival, but I suppose they were happy to see us.

Dave is off of school for the week, so he kept the kids Monday morning while I went to the doctor and did a few errands. He got the Nintendo hooked up and let Caleb try his hand at Duck Hunt. The Nintendo is probably over 20 years old, but it still works and apparently can still keep kids entertained.


In baby news, I have been having contractions off and on since Friday, so something is definitely happening. I got my hospital bag packed and the bassinet set up yesterday, so now pretty much all is left is for the baby to decide to come.

One More Month to Go!

Alternate Title: Humongous!

Today is exactly one month until my due date. I'm really hoping (as I'm sure you could guess) that she decides to make her appearance at least a few days early, but we shall see.
Week 36

How Big is the Baby at 36 Weeks Pregnant?
By 36 weeks pregnant your baby is now 5.9 pounds and is about 18.6 inches or more long! Your little one will soon enter the ranks of heavyweight champs as you continue pregnancy week by week and he approaches delivery!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still working on putting on weight during pregnancy week 36. While that may not seem very exciting, keep in mind this is his primary job from now until delivery. Round babies are healthy babies. This is probably the one time in your baby's life they can put on pounds with wild abandon. If you were to peak inside your womb, you'd probably see your baby giddy with glee.

Did you know that some researchers believe your baby actually releases a signal to trigger labor? There are actually several different theories. Some believe that when your baby's brain is completely mature it sends a signal to the fetal adrenal glands. These glands then start to secrete the hormone cortisol, which may alter the metabolism of estrogen and progesterone, resulting in labor.

Other researchers have postulated that the fetal lungs secrete signals indicating they are mature, as well as enzymes that result in the release of prostaglandins, which help the cervix ripen and help the uterus to contract. This is highly likely as the body does release prostaglandins around the time of birth.

Your Growth and Development
You are round and beautiful during pregnancy 36 weeks. Your uterus during pregnancy at 36 weeks is now more than 5 and a half inches from your navel. You may think you simply can't get any bigger by pregnancy at 36 weeks, but don't forget you still have four weeks of growing left! Some women may even have a little bit more!

The capacity of the uterus and abdomen to stretch during pregnancy is truly a remarkable phenomena. At no other time will the body transform at such a rapid rate than during pregnancy. Amazingly, while it takes nine months for the uterus to stretch to several times its normal size during pregnancy, by your six week checkup it will be back to its normal pre-pregnancy size already.

Changes in You
You are probably getting more and more anxious for delivery by 36 weeks pregnant. You probably still have a good 4 to 5 weeks to go however even at 36 weeks pregnant, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. Full term is defined as gestation between 37 and 41 weeks. That means your baby could come any time between then and that would be perfectly normal.

33 Weeks

Only 7 (or hopefully less) more weeks to go!

Week 33

How Big is the Baby at 33 Weeks Pregnant?
By pregnancy week 33 your baby weighs 4.2 pounds and may be 17.2 inches long!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is busy concentrating on weight gain during pregnancy week 33 and during the remainder of your pregnancy week by week. Your amniotic fluid may be at the highest level it will reach during your pregnancy at 33 weeks. Your baby's brain has been busy growing rapidly during pregnancy at 33 weeks, increasing the size of your baby's head by as much as 3/8 of an inch. Your baby's skin will start changing from red to pink as fat begins to accumulate beneath its surface.

Your Growth and Development
By 33 weeks pregnant your uterus is a little over 5 inches above your navel. You may have gained up to 28 pounds by 33 weeks pregnant, though some women will have gained more. During this point in pregnancy many women find that they gain weight faster than at any other time. This is partly due to the rapid growth your baby is experiencing. Most babies will put on 5-9 ounces every week from this point out!

28 Weeks and a New Hairdo

So, Molly came over to watch the kiddos yesterday while I went to the doctor (more on that in a bit), and afterward, we highlighted my hair. Here it is while processing. Cute, huh?
And here it is all fixed along with a 28 week belly shot. At the doctor yesterday, I was measuring 30 weeks, which is not surprising since I tend to have big babies. My weight gain is fine, though. Other than my iron being a tad bit on the low side, I'm healthy, the baby is healthy, and everything is looking good.

Week 28

How Big is the Baby at 28 Weeks Pregnant?
By 28 weeks pregnant your baby is 14.8 inches or more! She weighs in at about 2.2 pounds during pregnancy at 28 weeks!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Up until now if you were to look at your baby's brain during your pregnancy week by week it would appear smooth. By about 28 weeks pregnant however this changes, as the brain starts to mature and form grooves that we commonly associate with a human brain. Your baby may also be growing longer hair on her head by pregnancy at 28 weeks, though many babies will come out bald at birth. Others will be born with lovely locks of hair that will fall out and even change color some time after delivery.

Your baby should also be sprouting eyelashes by pregnancy 28 weeks, which will blink repeatedly if you were to shine a bright light on your belly.

Your Growth and Development
By pregnancy 28 weeks your uterus measures at least 3 inches above your bellybutton, or is approximately 28 cm tall. You should be steadily gaining weight from pregnancy week 28 and beyond.

Changes in You
After tracking your pregnancy week by week for so long, you are probably anxious to begin the third trimester, which is just a week away. Women who have tested Rh-negative will receive an injection of a substance called RhoGAM during week 28 of their pregnancy. This substance will protect you from becoming sensitized should your baby's blood mix with yours during pregnancy. This one injection will actually provide protection through the end of your pregnancy up until delivery.

Though your baby only has 2 to 3 percent body fat by twenty eight weeks pregnant and weighs only slightly more than 2 pounds, by now you may have gained as much as 24 pounds. Remember that all this weight helps cushion and nourish your newborn baby until the time of delivery.

It might help to massage your legs often from 28 pregnancy weeks on out during your pregnancy. Many women experience leg cramps, itching and swelling at this point in their pregnancy. After this week your health care provider will likely change your appointment schedule from once per month to once every two weeks. This will typically continue through week 36, when you will start having weekly appointments until the time of delivery.

23 weeks, Only 17 More To Go

I'm wearing my new glasses in this picture because I've pretty much given up on my contacts until after this baby is born.

Week 23

How Big is the Baby at 23 Weeks Pregnant?
Your baby is positively HUGE during pregnancy at 23 weeks, a whopping 1.1 pound (or almost at least!). That is quite an accomplishment for someone that used to weigh less than one ounce. Your baby at 23 weeks is now the size of a small baby doll you might purchase for a little girl. That's pretty impressive considering your baby could fit in the palm of your hand just a few short weeks ago. Your newborn baby is also about 11 inches long by pregnancy week 23!

Your Baby's Growth and Development
Your baby is still making remarkable changes at pregnancy 23 weeks. Her skin is still quite red and heavily wrinkled by the end of pregnancy week 23. Your baby can often hear loud noises in the womb from now and as you continue your pregnancy week by week, so don't be surprised if your baby seems to move around a bit when you are vacuuming or in an environment where loud noises are quite common.

The bones located in your baby's middle ear are starting to form by pregnancy week 23 and your baby is continuing to fill out and look more and more proportional.

If your baby were born this week there is a small chance your baby would survive, however it is best that your baby stay put for a number of weeks! Many women start to wonder what might happen if their baby is born prematurely. A baby born between 23 and 24 weeks would have a 10 to 70 percent chance of survival. It truly depends on a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration.

There are babies that are born at one pound that beat the odds and go on to live a fairly normal life, while others unfortunately die due to unexpected complications. The smallest babies may survive but grow up with some mental or motor disabilities as a result of their extreme prematurity.

Every day your baby stays in the womb increases their survival rate approximately 3 percent during weeks 23 and 26.

Generally after 26 weeks the survival rate jumps to 80-90%.

Many things can affect your baby's chances of survival if she is born prematurely. If your membranes rupture prior to 24 weeks your baby has less of a chance than if they stay intact. Male infants are considered more at risk because they are less mature than female babies when born prematurely. Other factors such as diabetes or high blood pressure can place added stress on the baby during delivery, increasing the chances of complication.

Your Growth and Development
Your uterus is continuing to grow and expand at 23 weeks pregnant, and by now is about 1.5 inches above your bellybutton. You are probably feeling less and less graceful 23 weeks pregnant as your belly continues to expand.

Your baby has lots of room to move in your uterus now, so her movements are probably quite strong at this point. You probably feel lots of flipping and flopping, and may even notice your stomach moving about!

Introducing...

...Baby #3 otherwise known as Jordanna Ruth.

Playing hide and go seek, which just so happens to be one of Caleb and Alexa's favorite games right now

Full body shot