Your First Stern Talkin' To!

Got another ultrasound done today. It was exciting, and slightly scary to see how much she had developed and grown! Under normal circumstances I wouldn't be receiving anymore ultrasounds, but because it's my life and nothing can be normal I get more chances to see my little Alana, which is most definitely a plus. Now for the scary side of things...

Look, it's my future! Kidding (kinda...)

Lil Miss Alana, you are going to be a very healthy baby, which means that your Momma (yeah that'd be me) is going to have quite the time when you decide to come into this world. Write this down people; on April 30th, 2012, Alana Michelle weighed in at 4 lbs 12 oz, with 2 more months to go! Anybody feeling sorry for me at all yet?? Is sympathy too much to ask, because so far, I've only gotten laughter, and a couple of tears...THROUGH THE LAUGHTER! I suppose it'll be ok, because the rumor is, Jesus doesn't give us anymore than we can handle. Unfortunately, it's starting to look like Jesus thinks I'm amazing. Which, don't get me wrong I am...but even I have my limits ;-) 

Just when you thought things were smooth sailing, I got quite the disturbing 4D ultrasound picture. Alana was actually angry in her picture! That's when I had a flash-forward to 15 years down the road, and I swallowed down the little cry for help that tried to escape. I'm not kidding, guys, she had the frown, wrinkled brow, and she genuinely looked mad that she had been disturbed. So this is where I get to play my ultimate trump Mom card; Lil Miss Thang, you have no right to "feel" disturbed right now. I'm the only one in this situation that has any "right" to have an angry look, especially since you spend most of your day playing my organs like bongos, thank you very much. So when a camera/ultrasound wand comes around to take your picture, you better be all smiles next time! 

Mommy Loves You Alana!  

In The Not So Distant Future...

Well I feel as if congratulations are in order for myself. During this pregnancy I have become quite the "hurdle" jumper. The first hurdle was the 1st Trimester, that was brutal: Alana, honey, you were not very nice to Mommy when we first discovered you. Ill does not even properly describe what I went through for about 14 weeks. Top that off with Tums being on the "no no" list for the 1st Trimester and topping that even higher with the harsh reality that I could not take anything to curb the nausea. Alana, if you ever want to know specific stories, ask Daddy, because he has some "funny" ones. 

The second hurdle, I suppose this one feels more like a perpetual metaphorical hurdle, as I'm still in the process of leaping over it. The bigger you get dearest Alana, the more Mommy's tummy looks weird. I believe the technical term is "umbilical hernia," not so much fun either, but, I have a found a way to temporarily rectify the issue until I can get the surgery done to fix it. It only hurts sometimes, but that's ok, because I know that it has to be this way so that you can get bigger before your grand entrance into the world. 

The third hurdle, I've already discussed in a previous post. The tear in my placenta. That hurdle was only conquered by the miraculous healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to Him may all the glory go. I cannot in any way lay claim to this, but I thank God for being able to be an instrument through which He can receive recognition for the healing that took place. Alana, if I can teach you anything, it would be this: you have a Heavenly Father that infinitely loves you, cares for you, and wants nothing more than to have a personal relationship with you; so when the world lets you down, which it will, never forget your Father in Heaven will NEVER forsake you.

And finally, as we enter the final stretch of this race, we have come upon the fourth hurdle, and Lord willing, other then the birth itself, this is the final hurdle. Gestational Diabetes; that phrase strikes panic into soon-to-be mothers everywhere, and you always hope it isn't you that gets it. Sorry, but I did. But please don't worry because, with a proper diet and close monitoring, everything will be A-OK. I do get to have two more ultrasounds before the real show, so that part is exciting! The more chances to see your face my little Alana, as long as it causes no problems to you, I am ok with.  

Apollo!

With 9 weeks left and counting, Alana, you'll be here before you know it! Daddy and I are very excited and look forward to holding you in our arms. We do ask that you don't try to come early, take your time (but not too long), and make sure you're fully developed and ready. Oh by the way, Apollo, your puppy and future playmate, is anxious too, he knows something big is about to happen! 

And as always, 

Alana

You Are Loved

Hmm, still 3 Months Left...

At the urging of a friend, I have decided to write another journal entry. I realize that the title to this entry may be confusing, come to find out, I'm just not that good at "pregnant math." What is pregnant math you ask? It is it's own mathematical system that does not jive with the math everyone has learned. So I've decided that from here on out I will simply talk in "week" terminology. With that being said, I am in my 28th week. 

To the left here is Alana's precious little foot. My usage of the word "precious" can be translated in any way you would personally like to read it...but let it be known, that while I love my child and cannot wait for the day to hold her, I can honestly say that I do not like her foot/feet. It seems that her feet find the most inconvenient time to jar my insides. 

The kick's that once provided the "awe" moments in my day, have now become my "Ow!!" moments. Is it possible to sustain internal bleeding from this?? 

Ok, ok so maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit. But there are definitely times when I can look down and see my belly violently jump. I'm proud of Alana for keeping up with her Calisthenics and staying in good health, but Mommy's organs, and bones for that matter, need a break every now and then! Yes that's right, I said bones. Yesterday, while in the dining hall partaking of the Seder meal, dearest Alana, got turned upside down thus lodging, what I assume was her hind-end up under my ribs, and proceeded to flutter kick the lower, left side of my abdomen. 

Talk about an uncomfortable experience! But then at the same time, it made me marvel at the miracle that is life. Deeper still, human life. What a gift! Have you ever thought about it? I mean truly tried to comprehend the intrinsically, complex, beautiful formation of a single cell taking the form of a baby. Even at 6 weeks I could see her body forming.

Obviously, this is not one of my ultrasound pictures, but look at the detail found already, at only 6 weeks! 

<- This is what my child is able to do right now at 28 weeks! Again I say look at the beautiful detail! How can there not be a Creator?! How can this miraculous beauty be an accident of random cells coming together. There is no possible way that I will ever be convinced to believe anything but that there is a Creator. That Creator has taken my DNA and my husband's DNA, woven them together to create something beautiful and perfect! 

My little Alana, when you read this, know that God loves you and took great care to create everything about you!!