Week 18 Photo Journal

18 weeks and feeling great!  Loving my growing bump and the precious little one that's making it bigger.  Another active Morse baby, just like it's brothers and sister.  I guess this baby has the desire to keep up with the others already.

Taking advantage of our yard.

Taking advantage of our tiger lilies this week.  They bloomed just in time for this shot!

Tip of the week:  Have you started an exercise program yet?  Exercise is important as you prepare for labor.  You'll want to start slow and listen to your body more now than ever.  Don't forget, you're breathing for 2!  Some great exercises are walking, swimming and yoga.  I personally love my Holy Yoga video since it's yoga exercises but it is rooted in worshiping Christ.  Exercise and worship all at the same time! 

Being in better shape (usually) helps your labor be easier to tolerate and perhaps faster.  People have known from pretty much the beginning of time that the better shape a momma is in, the more likely (not necessarily BUT more likely) your labor will be faster and easier. 

For Biblical proof look at the first chapter of Exodus - "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 'When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.'  The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, 'Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?'  The midwives answered Pharaoh, 'Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.'  So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own."  (Exodus 1:15-21)

Similar to us knowing for sure that Christ was definitely NOT in the tomb because the pharisees made up excuses for why He wasn't there instead of saying, "Um, no, he's still there."  We know the Hebrew women were definitely stronger and in better physical shape than the Egyptian women or this excuse would not have been accepted.

Of course, as with all things, be sure to talk to your ob/midwife about what is okay for you to do.  Certain conditions may require more or less activity.

Week 17 Photo Journal

Busy, busy here.  Getting our modest home ready for a 4th baby.  Doing lots of rearranging and tossing of unnecessary things so we have enough space for growing little ones.  We're trying to get as much done now, in the second trimester, while I'm still not huge and have some energy.

I also started feeling little thumps and bumps (aka quickening).  I so love feeling the little one's doing their gymnastics.  So precious!

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Tip of the Week:  Feeling your baby move for the first time is oh, so precious.  This movement it also known as quickening.  Most mom's feel their baby move for the first time between 16wks and 22wks.  If this is your first baby, expect to wait until after 20wks to feel those first kicks.  If this isn't your first, you may feel your baby much earlier (some women actually feel movement before 16wks!)  What do early baby kicks feel like?  Well, it could feel like butterfly kisses on the inside of your tummy, bubbles popping, tickles and they will eventually move up to solid thumps, kicks, rolls, and pokes as the baby gets bigger and stronger.

Week 14 Photo Journal

Welcome to the 2nd trimester!  Yay!  I'm feeling thrilled by the burst of energy and and lack of morning sickness (even though it still rears it's ugly head from time to time).  I love this trimester.  I'm not too big to get around easily but I'm still noticeably pregnant.  Also, I know it's only a matter of time before those little thumps and bumps beginp

Day dreaming of this precious little one.

Tip of the Week:  If you haven't done so already now is a great time to start an exercise routine.  Some great ways to "get in shape" for labor include prenatal yoga, walking, swimming and even a prenatal aerobics class.  Labor is hard work and preparing yourself physically is key to achieving a more natural labor.

Week 13 Photo Journal

This week we went on a mini vacation to Amish Country in Pennsylvania.  What a great vacation spot for a pregnant mommy with little ones.  Lots to do but lots relaxation thanks to the simple life the Amish lead.  Also, loads of love and acceptance (and advice from some very experienced Amish moms).  I'm used to getting dirty looks and comments because our 3 blessings are all under 5.  It was so refreshing to here positive words about our family!

At 13 weeks the baby is about the size of a peach!

Tip of the week: When going on a long care ride be sure to stop often to get up and stretch.  Sitting too long while pregnant can allow fluid to build up in your feet and ankles leading to swelling.  You'll probably have to use the bathroom often anyways!  Keep snacks and drinks on hand as well.  Don't forget, even though you aren't doing much you still have to eat and drink for 2!

Week 12 pregnancy photo journal

Almost done with the 1st trimester!  Really starting to feel a difference in my morning sickness (thank goodness!) and am starting to be far less tired.  We've been having so much fun going for walks out in the beautiful wilderness and beaches in our area and enjoying being a family of 5 for the short amount of time we will be so.

Week 11!

I just couldn't decide which I liked so I kept both for week 11.

Here is week 12.

This week instead of a "tip of the week"  I'm going to do a "story of the week"

Story of the Week:  At my last ob appointment I was told that my pelvis was "perfect for having babies" and was warned that I "probably wouldn't push much" with our next baby.  This ob clearly has never delivered one of my 3 babies since with my first I pushed for 5 contractions, my second I pushed for 3 contractions and for my third I was panting (like you would if you felt the urge to push far too early) because I felt my daughter was coming out too fast.  I never pushed for her at all.  My body did all the work for me (rather quickly I might add). 

What makes me think about this story is someone at my church this week ended up pushing for 3.5hrs!  I just don't have a concept of this.  I feel for her of course, but definitely don't understand the experience.  Now I understand why every ob, midwife and nurse who has ever attended one of my births always tell me I'm "made to have babies."  I honestly never understood why they said this until the story of this poor momma's birthing.  For all you long pushing momma's - I do not "know how you feel" but I must say, any one of you who has pushed for hours - I admire your strength!

Week 10 Photo Journal

Not a lot of change over the past few weeks.  Feeling yucky and tired.  But, the good news is at week 10 in your pregnancy the hormones start to level off so I should be feeling better very soon!  I was able to hear our little one's heartbeat with my doppler this week as well. What a blessing.

10 weeks.  The baby is starting to actually pop, not just bloating anymore.

Our precious blessing

Measuring spot on

Beautiful heartbeat.  172bpm!  That's pretty high.  The old wives tale would predict a girl.

Tip of the Week:  Feeling exhausted?  Growing people takes a LOT of energy.  Don't be afraid to take a nap or go to bed really early.  If you have older children, ask your spouse or a close friend to watch them for an hour or 2.  Sleep is important for a pregnant mommy and most mom's report that their morning sickness is far less intense when they are well rested.

Week 7 Pregnancy Photo Journal

This week was eventful to say the least!  Morning sickness kicked in to stay (at least for a while!) and I ended up in the Emergency Room with a threatened miscarriage.  Thankfully, while there they did an ultrasound and our little one was doing just fine.  I also got to experience one of the most precious things of pregnancy, hearing the heartbeat!  I was lucky enough to hear it for the first time at the hospital and then 2 days later at my follow up appointment where we discovered that our little one will most likely be perfectly fine!  Praise God!

Day dreaming!

My tummy is usually pretty pointy for the first few weeks.

Our precious little blessing!

Week 7 tip:  Experiencing bleeding?  Call your provider asap!  Actually, many women experience spotting at one time or another during pregnancy but it could be an early indicator of miscarriage.  Your provider will order a blood test to check hormone levels and will do an ultrasound to both check on the baby and try and find the reason/source behind any bleeding.