11 weeks

•Nearly all structures and organs are formed and beginning to function.

•Fingers and toes have separated - Take a glimpse at how incredibly precious your child's tiny feet are at this point.

•Hair and nails begin to grow

•The genitals begin to take on the proper gender characteristics - It will be just a few more weeks before your ultrasound can show if you are having a boy or a girl! Have you been dreaming of pink or blue?

•Amniotic fluid begins to accumulate as the kidneys begin to function - This fluid, consisting primarily of water, helps provide a cushion for your baby while she's nestled within your womb.

•The muscles in the intestinal walls begin to practice contractions that digest food.

•Your baby is about 1.61 inches (4.1 cm) long and weighs 0.25 ounce (7gm).

Not a whole lot to report this week. I have an appointment with the midwife tomorrow. And I am looking into starting some different birthing classes. I will let you all know how that goes!

Always Amazed

Though I look horrible, I had to post this picture. One night last week Grant climbed up on top of me while Jared and I were in mid-conversation. About a minute later he was out! What a sweetheart!

I am constantly amazed by this little boy!

Tonight he says to me "Mom, how can we help people?" This isnt the first time he has asked me this. He has asked me several times before. At first I wasnt really sure what he meant by this, but he explained to me that he wants to help people who "are in need". (I have to constantly remind myself that he is only 5) If you have ever met Grant and taken the time to look into his beautiful big blue eyes you might see the gigantic heart he has and the sweet spirit he was gifted with. He has a bigger heart than I could ever imagine. So I want to help my sweet little boy to help "people in need" Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do with him? I want him to be involved and see the impact that he can make in someone elses life.

Last week we had Parent/Teacher conferences and of course he got a perfect report card. I just hope that as he gets older he doesnt start to slack off like his mommy did. His teacher said that he is really excelling in reading and math. The one thing she said though is that he blurts out answers without raising his hand, but the answers are always correct. I told her that was his dad's fault because he is so outgoing and such a talker. She said that he has amazing manners and his social skills are above and beyond. Starting this week she is going to make him a mentor to a couple of students who are having some troubles in class. That made me really proud, because I know that he is the best one for the job. I go in and volunteer in his class every Friday and I get to watch him in class. He is best buddies with everyone and he is always helping someone else with something. I know it is important to learn to read and write and do arithmatic, but I think it is equally important to learn how to properly treat people in this life. And I think Grant is off to a good start!

I know I say it all the time, But I LOVE THIS BOY!!! HE AMAZES ME!!

Bowling!

On Saturday afternoon we met Uncle Shane and Aunt Elysha at the bowling alley. Grant was so excited. He loves bowling and as a bonus he got to spend time with his Uncle Shane! We dont see Shane and Elysha as often as we would like to but hopefully that will change. Jared and Grant already have plans to meet Shane at the bowling alley again this Saturday!!! Grant is such a big boy! He doesnt need the ramp anymore he just marches right up there and throws that ball down the lane. He is a pretty decent bowler too! I love this picture I got of Grant and daddy watching his ball heading straight for those pins! He got a spare! We had so much fun together!

10 weeks

It is so fascinating to me that this baby is actually starting to look like a real baby, not an alien! Hopefully at this point she has 10 fingers and 10 toes, developing eyes and ear buds! She is a little over an inch long from crown to rump. And she is going to do a lot of growing in the next few weeks!

I have lost about 6 lbs since I got pregnant, probably because I am craving fruit like crazy! I just cant get enough of it. Grapefruit, grapes, apples, pineapple, strawberries, peaches, plums, and melon! I want it all! The other day Jared and I walked into a gas station and all the sudden I was really craving a hotdog, which is so weird for me because I HATE hotdogs from a gas station(or at least that is what I try telling myself) To be honest I had never had one. Well word on the street is that Maverick has the best hotdogs, so I indulged and it was devine! I have been craving them all week now, but I have to stay strong. Do you know how much fat is in one of those things?? YUCK!!! I havent been so hungry lately. I can actually go for several hours without eating and I dont get sick. I am still doing the eating a little every couple hours thing though. And I am still as tired as can be. I have been told that this too shall pass. I hope soon! Other than that I feel great! 30 more weeks to go. wow that seems like such a very long time to wait for our little princess.

My children are truly blessed!

My sweet little Grant is so blessed! He is the luckiest little boy in the world, because he has an amazing Maama and an equally amazing Papa who absolutely adore him! And he in return adores them too! His favorite thing in the world to do is spend time at his Maama and Papa's house, he asks constantly to go up there. Well when we found out about a month ago that our favorite band was coming to Salt Lake, I was talking to my mom about it and she says, "I smell a sleepover" How cute is that? Maama and papa love it when Grant sleeps over and, of course, so does he. So Friday night finally came and you wouldnt even beleive how excited Grant was to have a sleepover. He asked as soon as he woke up in the morning if we could go. Here is part of the reason he loves to go. This is a conversation we had on the way home after I picked him up...

Me-Did you sleep good last night?
G-Yep!
Me-Where did you sleep?
G-With Papa!
Me-In Papa's bed?
G-Yep!
Me-Well where did Maama sleep?
G-Umm, on the couch I think.
Me-Grant that is not very nice to kick Maama out of her own bed.
G-I know, but I love to sleep in Papa's bed and he loves it too Mom!

And he really does!He loves it when Grant comes and crawls in to bed and snuggles him! I dont know how Maama feels about being kicked out though.
While spending the night at Maama and Papa's he had a yummy dinner made just for him, played pla-doh with Papa (his second most favorite thing to do), made gummy martians from scratch, played the Wii, watched a movie with Maama, went to the grocery store and got his own special yogurt, and did whatever else he wanted in the meantime! And when I went to get him he told me he didnt want to come home, he wants to live there forever. Who wouldnt, Right?
Grant is a little bit stingy with his hugs, but he has always had a very special bond with my mom, therefore he is more generous with his hugs when it comes to her. Sometimes Papa gets left out in the hugs and kisses department but it is really sweet to watch his face light up when grant will honor him with a hug and a kiss. My parents truly are amazing, and as amazing as they are I never could have imagined the wonderful relationship they share with my son. I know that they will adore this baby that is on the way just as much as they do Grant! I am so so grateful for them!

9 weeks

Our sweet little baby is now about an inch long and weighs about 0.16 oz. About the size of a large grape! It is so amazing to me to think that only a couple weeks ago she was only the size of a pea. The miracle of the process of building a baby is just incredible. Another thing that amazes me is that the baby can now move all her joints, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles! And she now has little fingers and toes. She is practicing moving her limbs, although I cant feel it yet! But I can not wait to feel her moving around in there, and I am so so excited for Grant to feel her kicking and punching! The newness of me being pregnant has deffinitely not worn off for our sweet boy. He is so incredibly lovey towards me constantly wanting to snuggle and get extra hugs and kisses. He has always been a lover but his affection towards me and the baby is in hyper drive! And I am loving it! He still loves to hug and kiss and talk to my tummy! And everyone he runs into or meets he immediately tells them, "My mom is pregnant!" It is so cute to see the excitement in his eyes!

We had a Dr. appointment yesterday and the doctor said things look great. He did another really quick ultrasound and we saw her heartbeat again! That will never get old. I love to see and hear our babies heartbeat! As far as me I am doing pretty good! I am still tired a lot and always hungry, but the morning sickness/nausea hasnt been too bad at all this past week and I am grateful for that! I love being pregnant this week!!!

8 weeks

Well I am 8 weeks and I cant believe how slow it is going. I feel like I have years to go. But in the end it will all be worth it. I dont want it to sound like I am complaining, but I want to document what is going on in this pregnancy week by week. So here is what is going on this week. I feel like crap 24/7 I have to eat every hour or two or I get really sick, light-headed, dizzy and extremely nauseous. But as long as I eat a little something regularly I just feel like crap. I am so tired, I cant even make it through the day anymore without a little mid-day nap. Oh and no matter how much I eat or how often, I am constantly hungry. I dont know what the deal is, but it is not good. I am trying really hard not to gain weight, because I seriously got HUGE with Grant. I mean HUGE!! Other than that I am loving being pregnant!!! Jared and I have already chosen names for a boy and a girl, and we can not wait to find out what it is. Although we call her by her name already, because we are convinced she is a girl!!

Growing up! My little guy has two loose teeth! He is so excited, and I have mixed feelings about it. It is fun, but it just means he is growing up way too fast. Man I love him so so much!

MEDS??? Not for me. Thank you!

Effects of an epidural on Labor

May slow labor, requiring Pitocin; and has been found to increase the chances of a cesarean delivery in primigravidas by two or three times.12


Often slows second stage by reducing or eliminating the normal surge of oxytocin; and by reducing pelvic floor muscle tone, which may lead to more deep transverse arrests or persistent occiput posteriors. In addition, forceps or vacuum extractor are required more often (20-75%). Delaying pushing until the fetal head is on the perineum reduces the need for forceps. Even though this approach lengthens the second stage, it does not increase the incidence of fetal distress
Effects of an epidural on a fetus

Abnormal heart rate patterns, requiring oxygen to the mother, position changes and possible cesarean delivery.


Increased likelihood of newborn septic workup, IV antibiotics and isolation in the nursery if the mother develops an "epidural fever" that causes fetal tachycardia or newborn fever.
 
If the fetus is already stressed greater amounts of the medication are "trapped" in the fetal circulation, leading to more pronounced newborn effects (see below).


Effects of an epidural on a newborn
 
Short-term (six weeks or less) subtle neurobehavioral effects, such as irritability and inconsolability and decreased ability to track an object visually or to shut out noise, bright light.4 There are no data on potential long-term effects.


Possible less efficient or less organized initial rooting and suckling behavior. Nurses have reported more difficulties in feeding babies whose mothers had an epidural when compared to unmedicated babies.6

Decreased infant responsiveness may lead to long-term consequences for the parent-infant relationship.14 Parents should be counseled to give their babies time to recover from the birth and medication and should avoid a label of "difficult child" or "incompetent mother."

Effects of pitocin

(a) maternal hypertensive episodes (abnormally high blood pressure)

(b) subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in area surrounding spinal cord)
(c) anaphylactic reaction(exaggerated allergic reaction)
(d) postpartum hemorrhage (uterine hemorrhage following birth)
(e) cardiac arrhythmias (non-normal heart rate)
(f) fatal afibrinogenemia (loss of blood clotting fibrin)
(g) premature ventricular contraction(non-normal heart function)
(h) pelvic hematoma (blood clot in the pelvic region)
(i) uterine hypertonicity (excessive uterine muscle tone)
(j) uterine spasm (violent, distorted contraction of the uterus)
(k) tetanic contractions (spasmodic uterine contractions)
(l) uterine rupture
(m) increased blood loss
(n) convulsions (violent, involuntary muscle contraction(s).
(o) coma (unconsciousness that cannot be aroused)
(p) fatal oxytocin-induced water intoxication (undue retention of water marked by vomiting, depression of temperature convulsions, and coma and may end in death.
Fetal and Newborn Effects
The following adverse effects of maternally administered oxytocin have been reported in the fetus or infant:
(a) bradycardia (slow fetal heart rate)
(b) premature ventricular contractions and other arrhythmias (non-normal heart function
(c) low 5 minute Apgar scores (non-physiologic neurologic evaluation)
(d) neonatal jaundice (excess bilirubin in the blood of the neonate.
(e) neonatal retinal hemorrhage (hemorrhage within the innermost covering of the eyeball)
(f) permanent central nervous system or brain damage
(g) fetal death

Check out this website.  http://www.aimsusa.org/obstetricdrugs.htm 

LITTLE MORE THAN A DOZEN DRUGS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY FDA FOR USE IN OBSTETRIC CARE and more than half of these drugs have had their FDA approved labeling removed from the PHYSICIANS DESK REFERENCE (PDR) by their manufacturers. The manufacturers of these drugs apparently prefer that the information regarding the inherent risks of these drugs be withheld from convenient review by health care providers and consumers.

Do I have a Birth Plan???

 What a silly question!! I had a pretty bad experience with Grant when I had him. I hated giving birth in the hospital. I had made up a very specific birth plan and there were certain things I DID NOT want, such as medication. I wanted to go Au Naturale! Well I think they looked at my birthplan and thought it would be funny to do everything exactly the oppossite of what I WANTED. To make a long story short I was made to have an epidural, made to have pitocin, made to stay in bed on my butt for 12 hours, and told I could not eat or drink anything. It sucked to say the least!
I vowed if I ever had another baby things would be different and I would not let the doctors or nurses push me around. My ideal situation would be to give birth in a birthing center, but after doing a lot of research I dont think that is going to happen. I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE BIRTH IN A HOSPITAL!!!  But through some more research that both Jared and I have been working on we found that at St. Mark's Women's Center they actually support natural birthing techniques and they will allow you to give birth with a midwife apposed to a Doctor. Dont get me wrong, I love my OB. But I have never discussed with him how he feels about my point of view(which I do plan on talking to him before I make any final decissions) I have been told the Women's Center is more like a hotel than a hospital, but I will let you know after I go tour it. I also have an appointment to meet with the midwives on Tuesday.

These are a few of the things I am including in my birth plan...

I do not want any medication, what-so-ever! I dont even want to be offered any!
I want my body to do what it was made to do, give birth, naturally.
I dont want my membranes ruptured artificially
I only want my baby monitored periodically and externally
I will manage all pain on my own and with the help of my husband
I want to be free to move about as much as neccessary during labor, i.e. walking, kneeling, bathing, showering (all the rooms at St. Mark's are equiped with showers and tubs)
I want my husband to catch my baby and I want to help pull her out
I want my husband and I and Grant to be able to bond with our baby in the very first minutes of her life
I want to give her her first bath with Grant's help
My baby will not leave my room at any point unless my husband is with her
I will breastfeed exclusively
I do not want the baby to be offered a pacifier, sugar water, or formula. Only mommy juice for my baby!

There are other things included in my birth plan but you get the jist. Some, including my parents, think I am crazy but this is my baby and my body and I want to do what I think is right for both of us!