My Body Week 23

Hey friends and family. Here is a quick entry to announce our 23rd week of pregnancy. Excited that things are continuing to progress and that we still have a healthy baby boy growing and kicking me all the time. What I think is adorable is that according to babycenter.com at week 23 our baby is about the weight of a large mango ... yummy!!!

As for me, I am still growing which isn't always a good thing. But I have started to make great steps toward improving my diet and exercises routine. So far it has been working, I feel great and started to not be as hungry and snacky anymore. The best thing for me right now is out of sight out of mind. If the snack food is in front of me, or someone else is eating it then I struggle. But if it isn't ever around, I am good.

My experience yesterday taking the early Glucose test didn't go all that bad. The wait was pretty short and the drink honestly wasn't that yucky at all. It was just really really sweet. They say we will have results in a week so until then I will continue to pray and do what I gotta do.

Other then that, I am doing pretty good. Happy that Chris is working and excited about our first visit at the Birthing Cottage on Monday. We will let you know how that goes.

Peace Out

I Won't Worry

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I found myself repeating that verse in my mind several times today. We had our 5 prenatal visit this morning and thankfully everything is well with Ty. He is just where he needs to be and growing just fine. I on the other hand seem to be growing way too much. My weight gain seems to be of concern to the doctor and she has requested that I have my gestational diabetes test done early to make sure it is just my over eating and nothing else. That is scheduled to happen on this Thursday. You can read about gestational diabetes and how the test is done here: http://www.babycenter.com/0_gestational-diabetes_2058.bc.

I am fighting not to be concerned and praying that it is my fatty self just eating too much. If it is gestational diabetes than that could mean that delivering at the birthing cottage will no longer be an option because I would be considered high risk, and Ty could grow too much and a c-section is possible. We have already started to make steps toward a more healthy diet for me and a regular exercise routine.

So I am looking for prayers and well wishes. Praying that the test on Thursday goes well, and that I can have the will power and determination to stick to this healthy eating plan and focus on exercising as much as my body needs. Thank you so much. Love you all.

Being Pregnant is Bringing Me Closer to God

It really is am amazing experience to carry another life inside your body and watch as they grow and develop. You begin to be amazed at how really smart our Lord is. Nothing that happens on this plant is by accident or coincidence. God really sat down and thought out His plans during those 7 days long ago. I am just in awe at how my little Ty knows when to start developing all his little parts. Even though he is just a small tiny life, he is doing so much already. I can't help to think that he really isn't alone in there. That the Holy Spirit Himself comes to Ty and whispers in his little ears when to start the next step and how to do it, guiding his growth at every moment. I have to thank God for that, I know I wouldn't be able to tell little Ty what to do in there.

Just thinking of that process and how much God cares for even the smallest, unseen things in this world makes me realize how much He must care for me too. I have started to spend much more time praying and reading His Word now just so I can spend time with the One who is forming my baby. Our true OB GYN at work. I even decided that now was the best time to start another time of fasting. Since I started to do this we have seen some amazing things happen. A lot of my annoying symptoms have really started to dwindle, Ty is wiggling around a lot more (especially when we listen to some our of Jesus music), and the greatest of all Chris was able to get a job. We aren't rich yet, but his employment opportunity is a blessing in so many different ways. It's times like these when I have a 'Duh' moment and remember if only I prayed and fasted like this regularly blessings would flow so much more.

Peace Out

I Am Officially Hippy

According to my husband, I have turned into a hippy because of my sudden change in birthing plans. During our before mentioned breastfeeding class at Babies R Us, Meg, the mid-wife and lactation specialist ended her presentation with a little plug for her birthing center in Winter Park. Little did Chris know, I was listening very attentively and making numerous mental notes. I picked up her card and a brochure for the center before we left and mentioned to Chris on the way home that I found the center, the Birthing Cottage of Winter Park, very interesting and would like to look into it more. Chris, being the wonderful and supportive husband that he is translated that immediately to ... we are going to deliver there and have a natural child birth. Of course I defended my self for a bit and did my research when we got home.

After and few days of research I called the number on the card and set up a tour so that Chris and I can see the facility, meet some of the staff, and get answers to the multiple questions we had building up since I expressed interest. Chris was/is a lot more apprehensive then I am so a lot of the questions were to ease his mind and nerves. Diana, our tour guide was awesome and help to make Chris feel relaxed and confident that our baby and I will be safe and taken care of during the labor and the appointments leading up to it.

Honestly, the more I read into it and do the hospital vs birthing center comparisons I was leaning more and more toward the birthing center. Of course, I am all for pain meds ... drug me up ... but the birthing center doesn't offer an epidural so that took some serious prayers. But they do offer other forms of pain relief (injections or pills) that I can take so Lord help me I hope those will be enough. But other then the lack of epidural I think it is safe to say that our new and final birthing location will be the Birthing Cottage of Winter Park. And so therefore, I am now a hippy.

Don't worry though, the center is literally just a block from the Florida Hospital South so if God forbid anything were to happen before, during or after labor I/we could be safely and quickly transferred over for further evaluation and care. Yeah for extra safety.

Peace Out

My Body Week 22

Now into my 22nd week and I had a revelation this week ... I am ready to be a mother. I know it is a little late in the game to finally get to this point, but hey better late then never. I think it finally hit my this past Tuesday when Chris and I attended a breastfeeding class held at Babies R Us. We arrived about 15 minutes early so we cruised around the store scanning more random stuff to add to our registry then headed to the class location. There were approximately 5 other pregos at the class and 1 other guy. It was a simple class, with a video and then additional info by Meg, a lactation specialist and mid-wife. She was pretty cool, relaxed and informative. But anyways ... I'm rambling ... it was during the class that I began to envision breastfeeding and taking care of little Ty and I started to feel all motherly and get excited. FINALLY!!!

The little monkey is starting to grow even more. He weights around a pound now (yeah ... no more just ounces). Oh and his eye lids are forming ... cute. Check it out here on babycenter.com week 22.

As for me ... well I am not all that great.

As for the pregnancy, I am doing pretty good. The most exciting mile stone for me this week is I am starting to feel those fun and exciting braxton hicks contractions. I had one really strong one this past weekend, but they are mostly just uncomfortable and weird. Chris got to feel my stomach during one and felt on tight and hard it got.

I am not that great because of my forever hurting tooth. It has gotten progressively worse to the point where it is unbearable now. I made poor Chris have to leave a movie we paid for (no refunds) after only 15 minutes into because the pain was so bad. Good news is that I finally spoke directly with someone at Medicaid regarding my account specifically and I have a higher level of Medicaid then I thought and I now have the name and number of the specialist that will be able to do the procedure I need, probably next week. I will have to tough it out for this weekend, but knowing that the end is near makes it just slightly easier.

I really have to give God the praise and glory for this one. I was really reaching out to Him for this and just when I felt I reached my limit I received the news and answer to my prayers. God is awesome.

Peace Out

Ty's First Outfits...

It has begun! Baby clothes! So this was a couple of weeks ago when we found out we were having a boy. Sorry folks, but if you missed the gender contest, well, you missed it. We have even chosen a winner already. I'm just putting the finishing touches on the video to get it posted on here. Anyway, so we found out we were having a boy and what was great was my parents and Phil's parents were there at the ultrasound, but later we had to go to a graduation. When we got back home, what was on our bed, only Ty's first set of clothes all thanks to grandma. Cute little outfit. Then the next day, another outfit set shows up, thanks to other grandma. Then the next couple of days, more and more outfits show up thanks to Ty's loving and excited parents :) It's awesome!

It's just that now that we know that Our Lil' Monkey is a boy, every time we go somewhere where they have baby clothes we always end up going and looking. We have gotten better now and have stopped buying clothes, but it's soooo tough.

So here, check out Ty's first set of outfits. He's going to be the cutest baby ever!!

Lord, You have blessed us with this great special gift and Lord we exalt and worship You. Lord we say thank You and cry out to You daily for Protection, Wisdom, Health, Strength, Guidance, and Provision. Thank You, Amen.
















Peace Out Folks
Chris C.

Week 22 Belly Shot...

Can you believe it, we are at 22 weeks!!! Wow, I think it's becoming more and more real to me and Phil. Ty's inside there, kicking and moving away and it's always just a joy to go to Phil's belly and say, hey Ty, it's daddy, I love you. Phil told me today that she thinks he knows when I'm there cause he seems to react and more when I'm around.

So I was looking into the 3D/4D ultrasounds. First, time I heard about it, I was like, eh naw I'm good, but man now, after looking at the price and the different packages, I'm thinking, umm maybe :) Not now though. I told Phil if we were to do it, I would love like around 30 weeks or so. Hey you never know, so keep an eye out.

Well, with out further a due, Phil's 22 weeks belly shot, enjoy! :)

39 inchs

Peace Out Folks

Chris C.

My Body Week 21 ... Are We There Yet?

Okay, I think Chris, myself and the baby have stepped into some weird time warp thingy where time just seems to slow down way too much. Now that we are finally more then half way through it seems to be taken forever. Not only with us, but the baby also. Well the babies growth is started to slow down significantly and now its mainly just focused on getting some fat. There's more going on in there, check it out at babycenter.com, week 21.

As for me, at some point during the week along my usual outings and adventures someone hit me with a fairy heartburn stick. So sweet!!! So every night now after 7pm I get these immense waves of heart burn in my upper chest and throat. Oh but don't worry about me ... its for the baby.

And if you haven't noticed, the babies movements, yeah they creep my out. But to make it even better, now we can actually see my belly move when it kicks. CREEPY!!! Just wait until we can actually make out body parts. I told Chris when that starts I will just put up a pillow on my chest so he can see it but I can't. :)

Oh and can someone please get me some WATERMELON!!! Lots of it.

Ty's Ultrasound Video

Wow, after much technical difficulties, I was finally able to upload this, Ty's Ultrasound Movie. I hope you enjoy it.

Now I can get to work on the Gender Contest Winner :)

Peace Out Folks
Chris C

Ty's ultrasound at 19wks 3dys

My Body Week 20

WE MADE IT!!! The half way mark. Very exciting. To celebrate, Chris and I got that babies coming home clothes. And it is adorable.

It has been a while since our last post. We have two very special blog posts that we are working on. We are having some technical difficulties with the videos but I promise they will be worth the wait.

As for me, according to the babycenter.com and what they say about week 20, I am overweight. Okay okay, so it didn't say that, but it does say that the average weight gain by now is 10 pounds and I am a little over 20 pounds now. I already felt a little chunky, so reading it didn't help at all. :)

Other than that, I am doing pretty good. I am finding it challenging at times to get used to my changing body. Each week I find that I can't do yet something else that I used to. Right now, depending on where the baby is sitting it can be just a tad uncomfortable to lean forward and get up out of bed. And I am sure it will only get worse. I just hope I can continue to exercises and that will in turn make the growth easier on me also. We will see.

Peace Out