Wow...what a difference a few days make. I'm blogging from my bedroom with a sweet little baby boy in my lap. :-)
Our precious son was born Saturday night, via almost-emergency c-section. Things went a little crazy on us that evening, and Elijah entered the world almost a month early, yet very healthy, thanks to a God who protects and gives guidance to wonderful nurses and doctors. More details will be coming soon, but here are the initial facts:
Elijah James Vines
8 pounds, 11 ounces
20.5 inches
December 15, 2007
10:53 pm
Showing posts with label size. Show all posts
Showing posts with label size. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
33 weeks
Our little boy is 33 weeks old today. He seems to be moving less violently (no more jumping jacks), but still regularly enough that I never worry. I know he just doesn't have as much space anymore to wiggle as much as before.
The hiccups last night lasted a LONG time. What a funny thing to see my abdomen jumping in such regularity and to be able to do nothing about it. I have had difficulty sleeping for weeks already, due to just being unable to get comfortable, but last night was the first time hiccups were the culprit.
Here's my email update for this week:
"This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. Your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.
A big praise I have to share is that we were so thankful to be able to get a recliner a couple of weeks ago, and it has proven to already be worth every penny spent. When I can't get comfortable in the bed, the recliner really is perfect. Heartburn and achey back and hips are much better when I'm slightly upright. We're very thankful for many friends and family members who contributed monetarily at our shower towards that wonderful chair!! I know it'll come in handy once Elijah is here and there are times he needs rocking or feeding and I am so glad there will be a place to go that is comfy, and not necessarily just my own bed. I didn't have a rocking chair or anything with Abigail, and it was so easy to fall asleep feeding her in the bed, and we got in a habit of that so that she hated her bed for a long time.
It was one of those things I really didn't want to do - co-sleeping was just not what I'd planned on, but became the pattern for us for over a year. It was more survival than anything, because of my own fatigue and her being accustomed to it, and I just didn't have the energy to work to get her used to her bed. If Elijah ends up with me in the bed some, I'm o.k. with it, but I'd prefer him to sleep in his crib if he is cooperative. So, the recliner will be a great option for me to get up and go to in the middle of the night to nurse him, instead of bringing him to my bed. I can picture us both snoozing in that chair a good bit in those first weeks/months of near-constant feedings, and that's o.k. too. At least I have another option this time. What a blessing!
The hiccups last night lasted a LONG time. What a funny thing to see my abdomen jumping in such regularity and to be able to do nothing about it. I have had difficulty sleeping for weeks already, due to just being unable to get comfortable, but last night was the first time hiccups were the culprit.
Here's my email update for this week:
"This week your baby may be anywhere between 17 to 19 inches in length and weigh more than four and a half pounds. Your baby could grow a full inch more this week alone — especially if he or she has been on the shorter side. Weight gain can range from a third more growth to a full doubling before the big debut.
The level of amniotic fluid in your uterus has reached its maximum, making it likely that you have more baby than fluid now. That's one reason why you're probably feeling lots of nudges and pushes — there's less liquid to cushion the blows.
If your uterine walls had eyes, here's what you'd see: your fetus acting more and more like a baby, with his or her eyes closing during sleep and opening while awake. And because those uterine walls are becoming thinner, more light penetrates the womb, helping your baby differentiate between day and night (now if only baby can remember that difference on the outside!).
And good news! Your baby has reached an important milestone about now: The development of his or her own immune system that (along with antibodies from you) will be able to provide protection from mild infections."
Yeah, I liked that paragraph about his weight possibly increasing that much more in the next 6-7 weeks. Doubling might just be a LITTLE extreme - a 10 pound, 12 ounce baby? Sheesh, let's hope not!A big praise I have to share is that we were so thankful to be able to get a recliner a couple of weeks ago, and it has proven to already be worth every penny spent. When I can't get comfortable in the bed, the recliner really is perfect. Heartburn and achey back and hips are much better when I'm slightly upright. We're very thankful for many friends and family members who contributed monetarily at our shower towards that wonderful chair!! I know it'll come in handy once Elijah is here and there are times he needs rocking or feeding and I am so glad there will be a place to go that is comfy, and not necessarily just my own bed. I didn't have a rocking chair or anything with Abigail, and it was so easy to fall asleep feeding her in the bed, and we got in a habit of that so that she hated her bed for a long time.
It was one of those things I really didn't want to do - co-sleeping was just not what I'd planned on, but became the pattern for us for over a year. It was more survival than anything, because of my own fatigue and her being accustomed to it, and I just didn't have the energy to work to get her used to her bed. If Elijah ends up with me in the bed some, I'm o.k. with it, but I'd prefer him to sleep in his crib if he is cooperative. So, the recliner will be a great option for me to get up and go to in the middle of the night to nurse him, instead of bringing him to my bed. I can picture us both snoozing in that chair a good bit in those first weeks/months of near-constant feedings, and that's o.k. too. At least I have another option this time. What a blessing!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Latest, great news!
We were thrilled today to have a sonogram to check out our baby boy, and the position of the placenta. As many of you have prayed, God answered our prayers they way we specifically requested, and it has almost resolved! YEA!!! The tech said that it is still considered a marginal previa, but with Elijah now in position with his head down, as he moves further down, that he'll probably help it totally get out of the way. This is such a great thing, meaning we should not have to do a c-section, and I can deliver him vaginally as I'd desired.
It was harder to see his face today, because he is squished down so low, and is facing up into my abdomen right now, but we were able to catch little glimpses, and see his heart beating well, his cute, round tummy, and legs, feet, hands and arms. So sweet...the kids again loved seeing their little brother, and commented on how cute he is. And, of course, we're not biased at all. :-) He is still measuring ahead, and at a pretty good size. I'll be at the 33 week tomorrow, and the tech said he is just under 5 1/2 pounds. We are tickled he's growing well, and happy to know that as of now, things look just wonderfully well.
We were waiting for a minute on the nurse to check my blood pressure and weight (both were good), and Dr. McKenzie saw us and came in to say hi. He said though they'd like the placenta a couple of centimeters away from the cervix, he was pleased and felt that the tech was right, and that it'll probably continue to shift a little. He said even if it didn't, he saw no reason we couldn't plan on a vaginal delivery. He was very happy for us, and agreed that God had answered our prayers in a terrific way.
I had my quick visit with Dr. Radbill, and the nurse who showed me to the room commented as she was putting my chart in the door, "You're not even 33 weeks and this baby is measuring 5 pounds, 6 oz.?! Wow!" [I'm getting a lot of that, and comments on how big he's going to be, when who really knows?! :-)] Dr. Radbill was pleased with the change in the placenta and my measuring, and is very encouraging that things are going well. Other than sore, swollen feet still, I have no complaints or concerns. I'll go back in two weeks for just a regular visit.
Thank you for encouraging us as we waited for this day, and for the prayers you've lifted. A caesarean would not be an awful thing, but I really had hoped to avoid yet another surgery if possible. My mom was overjoyed with the news today, especially because of the complications of that ovarian remnant possibly needing to be dealt with, my propensity for bleeding insanely, and the history I have with my blood pressure bottoming out during previous surgeries/anesthesia. We're all relieved that those things just won't have to be a concern anymore, as far as we can tell. What a wonderful bunch of praises to add to our Thanksgiving list of things to be grateful for!!
It was harder to see his face today, because he is squished down so low, and is facing up into my abdomen right now, but we were able to catch little glimpses, and see his heart beating well, his cute, round tummy, and legs, feet, hands and arms. So sweet...the kids again loved seeing their little brother, and commented on how cute he is. And, of course, we're not biased at all. :-) He is still measuring ahead, and at a pretty good size. I'll be at the 33 week tomorrow, and the tech said he is just under 5 1/2 pounds. We are tickled he's growing well, and happy to know that as of now, things look just wonderfully well.
We were waiting for a minute on the nurse to check my blood pressure and weight (both were good), and Dr. McKenzie saw us and came in to say hi. He said though they'd like the placenta a couple of centimeters away from the cervix, he was pleased and felt that the tech was right, and that it'll probably continue to shift a little. He said even if it didn't, he saw no reason we couldn't plan on a vaginal delivery. He was very happy for us, and agreed that God had answered our prayers in a terrific way.
I had my quick visit with Dr. Radbill, and the nurse who showed me to the room commented as she was putting my chart in the door, "You're not even 33 weeks and this baby is measuring 5 pounds, 6 oz.?! Wow!" [I'm getting a lot of that, and comments on how big he's going to be, when who really knows?! :-)] Dr. Radbill was pleased with the change in the placenta and my measuring, and is very encouraging that things are going well. Other than sore, swollen feet still, I have no complaints or concerns. I'll go back in two weeks for just a regular visit.
Thank you for encouraging us as we waited for this day, and for the prayers you've lifted. A caesarean would not be an awful thing, but I really had hoped to avoid yet another surgery if possible. My mom was overjoyed with the news today, especially because of the complications of that ovarian remnant possibly needing to be dealt with, my propensity for bleeding insanely, and the history I have with my blood pressure bottoming out during previous surgeries/anesthesia. We're all relieved that those things just won't have to be a concern anymore, as far as we can tell. What a wonderful bunch of praises to add to our Thanksgiving list of things to be grateful for!!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Halfway There! (maybe)
This week was the 20 week mark. YEA! We're very happy to have gone through this first half of the standard pregnancy length so well. Though I know that nothing is guaranteed, we're praying that this baby boy hangs in there for approximately the same amount of time from this point forward. He is still super wiggly, and at times, I'm pretty uncomfortable, because of his position. At this point with Abigail, I felt her some, but nothing like with our boy. He's noticeable, literally, every hour of the day. I'm assuming that has something to do with the placenta being where it is, and at times feel concerned about the pressure and movement, but so far, think things are going all right. Ow! There was a swift kick to my bladder....
At this point, our little fellow is about 9-10 inches long, about half the length he'll probably be at birth. We also learned these fascinating facts we've been sharing with Isaac and Abigail:
At this point, our little fellow is about 9-10 inches long, about half the length he'll probably be at birth. We also learned these fascinating facts we've been sharing with Isaac and Abigail:
- The baby can hear and recognize his mama's voice. We encourage the big kids to talk to him often so maybe he'll learn their voices too. He may even may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during his development stages often are calming after birth.
- The toenails and fingernails are growing.
- The growth of hair (lanugo) on the rest of the body has started.
- The skin is getting thicker.
- His heart can now be heard with a stethoscope. Actually, James can hear it sometimes by just leaning on my belly and listening carefully, depending on the baby's position!
- Immunities are being transferred from me to our baby now. These immune cells will protect him from viruses I've already had for up to six months after birth!
- The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
19 weeks
We're so happy to have a busy baby boy! He's wiggling and rolling and doing who knows what else inside me, because even James and the kids can feel him by putting their hands on my "mountain" of a belly (according to Abigail). :-) That comment didn't hurt my feelings, since I have still gained less than 10 pounds, but I agree with her, it is quite noticeable now.
We were happy to meet our new cousin yesterday, baby Emerson. She decided to enter the world pretty early, and is still in the hospital, but is really doing well overall. Seeing her was so exciting, and amazing - such tiny perfection. Isaac and Abigail were really impressed at how cute she was, and how very small. To try to explain to them that Isaac was about half her size when he was born really went over their heads. That is just hard for me to even imagine. He was 3 months old when we met him, and he was still only 4 pounds, 10 oz., so she's over a pound larger than he was...what a miracle life is.
We're still contemplating names, and are settled on an E name, but no specific one for certain yet - for those of you who are anxious to hear. We'll tell you soon hopefully. Someone, not naming anyone in particular, is having a hard time deciding between a few.
Our little boy is the size of a large mango. That makes me giggle for some reason. My uterus, however, is about the size of a cantaloupe. Don't you love these crazy facts? Blame it on email updates from various websites.
We were happy to meet our new cousin yesterday, baby Emerson. She decided to enter the world pretty early, and is still in the hospital, but is really doing well overall. Seeing her was so exciting, and amazing - such tiny perfection. Isaac and Abigail were really impressed at how cute she was, and how very small. To try to explain to them that Isaac was about half her size when he was born really went over their heads. That is just hard for me to even imagine. He was 3 months old when we met him, and he was still only 4 pounds, 10 oz., so she's over a pound larger than he was...what a miracle life is.
We're still contemplating names, and are settled on an E name, but no specific one for certain yet - for those of you who are anxious to hear. We'll tell you soon hopefully. Someone, not naming anyone in particular, is having a hard time deciding between a few.
Our little boy is the size of a large mango. That makes me giggle for some reason. My uterus, however, is about the size of a cantaloupe. Don't you love these crazy facts? Blame it on email updates from various websites.
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