Happy Turkey Day

Jesse and I have have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are thankful for each other's unconditional friendship, love and support, and the feeling of home we provide to each other. Our unborn son who we have longed, waited, and prayed for and has brought us already so much joy. Our family who is always by our sides giving us their wisdom, strength, and encouragement in all that we do. Our friends who all have a special place in our hearts and provide us so many memories of fun times. Ours and our families' health, our jobs that we love and enjoy every day, and our house that keeps us cozy and safe!

Thank you Lord for giving us so much to be thankful for!
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! 
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into God's presence with singing!
Know that the Lord is God! It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures for ever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

24 Week Belly

Baby Maynard is starting to pack on the weight this month. His is quite the kicker, and I am starting to notice a time pattern when he is most awake and exercising. He will be gaining about 6 oz. a week (the exact weight of a Yoplait yogurt) to allow his body to fill out proportionally. His brain and taste buds  continue to grow. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree," and surfactant a substance that will help his little air sacs inflate once he joins us outside the womb.  His skin is still transparent but that will change soon.

Doctors Appointment

Today I had my monthly doctor's appointment. My total weight gain so far is 14 pounds, and tummy/baby are measuring and growing right on track. The Doctor measured my belly today which was 22 1/2 cm, and it usually correlates with how far along you are, and I am 23 weeks. My blood pressure was good 104/62, and I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat which I love. The Doc gave me the green light for some Tums or Zantac if I need it for some reflux I have been encountering due to all my insides relaxing and moving up. I go back in a month on December 18th for my lovely glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. All in all we're doing great, and looking forward to the holiday days off and fun next week!

My co-worker Jessica loaned me her Snoggle pillow to assist in comfortable sleep. I'll be testing it out tonight!

 

23 Weeks

Last night the Maynard clan went out to eat at The Colonel Blackinton Inn (our favorite restaurant) for soon to be Grandma Deb's birthday celebration. It was a fantastic evening of fine dining and family togetherness.

Dan, Deb (Birthday Girl), Lynsey, Josh, Taylor, Ashley, Me, Jesse

Baby boy Maynard's blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. His cute little face is fully formed, and just needs some fat to make chubby cheeks. He is gaining about 6 oz. per week, and I am gaining about 1 pound/week. His keen ears are picking up sounds such as my voice, stomach gurgles, deep breathes, and loud noises now such as music playing or the vacuum running. He is about 11 inches long (head to toe), and weighing about a pound and a half. He is about the size of a large mango or an ear of corn.

22 Week Belly

The liitle guy's face is fully formed and he is starting to settle into sleep cycles. He sleeps now about 12-14 hours a day much like a newborn. His fingernails have grown to the end of his fingertips, and his teeth buds are beginning to form.

We Love You!

The little man is getting stronger. Dad was able to feel him kick twice in a row this weekend. Yesterday sitting on the couch  I felt him kicking away. I lifted up my shirt to see if I could see any action, and sure enough I saw him kicking/punching because my tummy poked up next to my belly button. I can also see my belly shake when he is doing his karate in there. The little alien is quite the athlete so far.  Can't wait till I actually see a hand or foot pressing against my belly!

p.s. Thank you Hilary for being my photographer during one of my silly/creative moments!

Changing Belly Button

Before having a bun in the oven I could never see the bottom of my innie belly button. Slowly as I started to get rounder my button started to open up which was cool. Now it's changing again, and it turning into an outie. I imagine it will be like a cooked turkey and be popped up when the baby is done! So neat to see all the changes your body goes through.