Little miss is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound, about the size of a Mango.Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing. Her ears are developing at a rapid rate. Loud noises are becoming familiar now.
A few strangers this weeks asked how far along I am! Yay! We have entered the "pregnant" look as opposed to the "you're getting fat" look!
I don't have much to report this week! my injections was a little sore this go around. It lasted a few days. From what I can tell, we have had no side effects! I get my last cervical ultrasound next week. That will tell if they out the stitch in. I am still a little unsure if I want to go that route. I need to do some more research on it. They can't put the stitch in after 24 weeks because it may cause damage to the uterus.
Our baby girl is 11 inches and almost 1 pound. Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums. Her pancreas is developing steadily, too.
Injections are going well! WE found out this week B has been using the wrong needle! They send us 2 sizes, 18G and 21G. He is supposed to use the larger one to draw out the mediation, then switch to the smaller to inject! Opps! It was painful and sore longer but I just figured that came with the territory! Although, it's still painful and sore, it's a much smaller scale!
My cervix is still shortening. It's a 2.4cm now. 2 weeks ago it was 2.8cm. Which is not a dramatic change nor is it "stitch worthy." But the doctor is still slightly concerned. They can't put the stitch in after 24 weeks. So She says, "Take it easy." Minimize lifting Capri as much a possible! So, when B is home he will help. I will pretty much be home bound when he is working! Yikes! I am going to HAVE to slow down. It will be tough but maybe we can avoid bed rest by starting this early!
He is going to be so upset at this picture one day!
He is a steady 31 pounds. Still on the skinny side!
Health
He loves mini golf.
I thank God all the time that we haven't had any major health problems or injuries! Jeremy is a jumper, bouncer, climb to the highest thing and jump off kind of boy! It's amazing we haven't had any huge injuries!
Sleep
This boy is a great sleeper! He wakes up around 6:30am, naps from 1-3:30pm and heads to bed at 8:30pm. Interestingly he rarely naps on the days he has school. He stays in his bed but is usually singing or playing pretend in his little mind. I don't think school is active enough for him.
Clothes
We are slowly weeding out the 2T shorts and moving 3T shirts in. Pants and shorts are 3T, only because of the length. We have to use the ones that have the elastic at the waist and scrunch them tight! He is in a size 10 shoe.
Social
Preschool is Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 12. I'm having a struggle with it! Every morning we get up to get ready he tells me he doesn't want to go :(. This makes me so sad! The only reasons he gives are he doesn't like it and that he wants to stay home with Capri and I. While making the Christmas cards out for his teachers he wanted me to write, "Thank you for being my teacher but I don't like school." He is such a social, outgoing kid that it takes me by surprise. I am a huge supporter of homeschooling and believe kids belong at home with their parents so this really gets to me. I have him in preschool to get the idea and structure of school, so when we start homeschooling, he has an idea of what it looks like. But i am send guessing that logic now. On the other hand, I don't want to let him quit something because he doesn't like it. However, there are so many other instances in life this lesson can be taught. We haven't decided to take him out yet. But I am going to start taking some time to do school work at home and see if that helps. . . After Christmas, that is!
Brotherly/Sisterly Love
Jeremy continues to amaze us with his love for his sister (and others). He is so kind to her! We have had a few times where he is too rough or doesn't stop when she is whining and not saying, "Stop." But we are working through those!
Diet
He tries to be picky! He tries to tell us he doesn't like whatever it is depending on his mood! However, he doesn't get away with it! He eats what we make. Each time! He doesn't do it at every meal and with the same thing. EXCEPT potatoes! No matter which way. .. yes EVEN french fries. . . he says he doesn't like them. He still has to try a bite each time but that's all. His favorite foods includes: Cheese, eggs in the middle, cereal, and Cuties (tangerines).
WE have noticed he has a drop in his sugar level when he wakes up in the morning and at nap time. We have to make sure we have food on hand AS SOON AS he wakes up. Or juice to spike his sugar. We also make sure he has some kinds of snack with protein around 10am. If we forget, he spirals down to almost a temper tantrum he can't control. When it get to that point by the time he has had a few fruit snack or 1/2 cup of straight juice he is back to himself. It took quite a while to figure out what was making our happy go lucky boy turn into a crazy kid! Now that we have it down, we are sure to keep up with it!
Milestones
Jeremy is really good at riding his bike. We are starting to teach him without training wheels. He has crazy good driving skills! He drives his John Deer Gator all over the yard. He gives every kids a ride and tries to teach them how to drive. He says his favorite passenger is his Sissy!
Personality
There are so many little things to write about Jeremy! The monthly posts help so much! Here are the words I have out around the pictures: Prays for strength, loves God, great swimmer, naked sleeper, works outside with daddy any chance he gets, teaches Capri, Loves to get eggs and wrangle the chickens, new found love for Legos, acts out Bible stories, active imagination, writes songs.
We love getting to know this little man!
I am so blessed to be able to stay home with my kids
and watch them grow every day!
I'm falling a little behind! Being pregnant and chasing after 2 kids is slowing me down! I feel like I can barely keep up with the house! That is dishes, laundry and a simple chore here and there. My Housekeeping schedule is out the window right now!
But here's the past 2 weeks! BIG NEWS!!
Baby GIRL weighs in at 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, the size of an heirloom tomato. Her sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. She can hear our voices now. Jeremy loves to sing to her! Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting
Baby girl weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now and is about 10 inches, the size of a banana. She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system.
How far along? 20 Weeks
Total weight gain: 11 pounds Maternity clothes? I am pretty much only in maternity. Leggings and yoga pants are my favorite! I have finally switched out my closet from non-maternity to all maternity. Stretch marks? Nope! Miss Anything? The ease of getting up and bending over! Movement: Oh yes! This little girl MOVES! Food cravings: Not really.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope. Gender: GIRL!! We are deciding between Heidi Rae or Marie and Rowan Elyse. We are open to suggestions on middle names Labor Signs: No, thank God! Symptoms: Not any I can think of. Belly Button in or out? In! Wedding rings on or off? ON! Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Looking forward to: Holding my sweet girl! Ultrasound check in: Cervical length is good it hasn't shortened since the last US. We spotted her sucking her thumb again!
Our little love is about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long, the size of a carrot! Her eyebrows and lids are present now. This little girl is a MOVER! I feel her all the time!
I still haven't noticed the emotional days the past few weeks. Bobby may beg to differ and want to comment on this! Maybe he should be blogging on my moods! Ha! I have had back pain. All this pulling towards the front is causing aches. To be expected, of course. I did get a massage on week 19! That was so nice! I'm due to go to the chiropractor next week. That should help as well.
Our anatomy scan at the 20 week appointment confirmed it's a GIRL! And that baby is growing SO, SO well! Praise God! Although, we don't expect anything to go wrong, there is always a little sense of fear when going to that appointment! The technician stated, "This is the most active baby I have ever seen!" I feel what she's saying! She does not stop moving! Except, of course, when her Daddy wants to feel her! Which is the COMPLETE opposite from Jeremy and Capri. They would jump, bounce, leap inside when they heard his voice or touched my belly! Dare I say we MAY just may have a Mommy's girl on our hands?? One can always hope!
Oh yes. . . And a cervix update! It has stayed at 2.6cm! Praise Jesus!! SO far no stitch is needed!
Whew! That was a lot to update! See you at 22 weeks!
Our girl is weighing in at 21.5 pounds! She has stayed pretty steady since 10 months! She still has those cute puffy cheeks though!
Health
15 Months
These kids are pretty resilient to sickness. It doesn't come around often for us! Praise God!
Sleep
The bottom right is such a treasured picture! It's so rare for her to fall asleep in my arms!
It took us a while but we finally dropped the evening 1/2 hour nap around 14 months. She still holds tight to her morning and afternoon nap! There are days we have to miss the morning nap because we need to run errands and what not. Here schedule is: Wake up about 7 :30am, breakfast, nap from 10-11am, lunch, nap from 1-3pm, snack, dinner at 6pm, bed by 8pm.
Little girl LOVES her blanket! She signs sleep and the sign she made up for blanket. Once she has it, she is right to sleep!
Clothes
Capri is wearing 12 month pants and 18month shirts. We are slowly putting the 12 month dresses away.
Social
Aquarium of the Pacific, June
We love playdates! She is very social! I would say her favorite person to play with is Jeremy! It just melts my heart! We had quite the busy summer! We has a stay-cation with my mom, we went camping with the O'rafferty's, we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific, and Mommy went to the East Coast without Daddy or the kids! That was a long 5 days!
Brotherly/Sisterly Love
Like I said in the last one! They are just so cute together! They have their little arguments but most of the time they have a blast together!
Diet
Left: Tomatoes Right: Strawberries from our garden!
She still tries to be a vegetarian! Even if the meat is so tiny in the meal she picks it out and puts it in her cup holder! WE make her eat a few bites each time! She is pretty good with veggies. And loves fruit! Especially the little fruit pouches!
Milestones
Capri wants to potty train! She has gone pee once and poop once! 2 days in a row! It was really exciting! I didn't want to start this early because I was worried about her regressing when the baby gets here. But I definitely don't want to discourage it! I'm just going to let her sit anytime she wants and go along with it! She wants to be just like her brother!
Personality
Daddy's Girl 15 Months
This picture shows her personality! 17 Months
She loves to be the princess! She uses her eyes and cute looks to work people! She is the prefect combination of girly girl and playing in the mud with Jeremy and his friends! She loves her Daddy, brother, Gigi and Auntie Danielle! She loves to giggle! She crosses her arms in disapproval! Loves to sing worship music with Jeremy. Cries when we drop her off at church. Very independant!
She has another thing coming when her little SISTER gets here! YES! We are having another GIRL!
This week she (odd week) is the size of a pear. Her skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone. Weighing in at 5oz and 5 inches! She can move her joints and sweat glads are starting to develop!
Injections are going well. I'm still having to drive to the doctor's office to get them. Hopefully everything is cleared up by next week. Although, Bobby is thankful he gets to miss a few weeks of giving it! I have noticed that by Friday (injection is Wednesdays) I'm emotional. It lasts through Saturday. Sunday is back to normal. It's hard to accept. I want and an disappointed when I can't snap myself out of it. But since we have noticed a pattern, we can expect it and pray our way through it! I have also been getting headaches. Which I read was common during pregnancy. I didn't have them with the others but every pregnancy is different and they are definitely tolerable!
In the last week Baby Martens #4 gained 2 oz and 1/2 inch, making him 7oz and 5 1/2 inches, the size of a sweet potato. There is a lot of work on his nerves going on. AND we might be able to tell if "he" really is a "he or she!" BUT we are still deciding if we are going to tell anyone or keep it a secret! Bobby really enjoyed telling the family in the waiting room! He is undecided! I'll keep you posted!
Oddly enough I didn't have the emotional days with my injection this week! Just when I thought I had predicted it! That will teach me! The baby is moving all over the place! We had a doctor in training during our ultrasound this week! So we got to watch the him (even week) for about an hour! It was awesome! We also got another thumb sucking picture! Walking in Big Sister's foot steps! While measuring my cervix they found that it shrunk down quite a bit from the last ultrasound. Two weeks ago it was 3.5cm, this week it was 2.6cm. Which is still good. They don't want it to go below 2.5cm. They will continue to watch it every 2 weeks. If it falls below 1.5 too early they will put a stitch in. But this is rare so we are hopeful it won't get that low. On the other hand, maybe this is why I go into labor early and if we catch it, maybe we can prevent it!
That's all we have this week! Oh except we found out the GENDER! We will be announcing it on Thanksgiving! Then I will be sure to post pictures!
legs are much more developed, have moved closer to the front of his/her head
and ears are close to their final position!
*We didn't get a belly picture this week :(
I got my first injection this week. It went well. The insurance company is giving us the run around for for the time being I'm getting it at the doctor's office.
Update every 4 weeks:
How far along? 16 Weeks
Total weight gain: 10 pounds Maternity clothes? Still able to wear some non-maternity tops, I feel larger then I did with the other 2! I love my leggings with long shirts or short dresses! I haven't been too keen on my maternity jeans this time around. Stretch marks? Nope! Miss Anything? I keep forgetting there's a bump that gets in the way. I do things and it reminds me! Movement: I felt little flutters!! It's so amazing!! Just as exciting as the other 2! Food cravings: Not specifically. But meat is a no-go. Has been with all the pregnancies. I eat double the veggies. And a lot of carbs just to keep me full longer.
Anything making you queasy or sick: In the beginning I was getting naceous quite a bit, not one specific food, I was eating many bowls of cereal! That seems to be over. Gender: WE won't know for a few more weeks. Labor Signs: No, thank God! Symptoms: Not any I can think of. Belly Button in or out? In! Wedding rings on or off? ON! Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Looking forward to: Seeing if the changes w are making help to stay off bed rest. Ultrasound check in: Cervical length is good! We got a picture of the baby sucking his/her thumb! And he/she seems to be quite active!
I am going to flip flop between boy and girl each week.
I'm not the kind of girl that just says, "Oh by the way, I'm pregnant" in casual conversation. I like announcements! I like to watch the reaction of loved ones!
We have been Pregnant 4 times! I loved each announcement!!
1. Jeremy Noah Martens
Due: June 2, 2010 (our anniversary!)
Born: April 23, 2010
Husband: I woke up early before he went to work to take a test. POSITIVE! When I went ot twake him up I said, "We are pregnant!" We had only been trying for 2 weeks! He said, "No way. It's way too soon." I showed him the test. "Well look at there, as little positive sign!"
Family: We had the family over for a "Halloween party." They had no idea what the real reason was! WE played this song:
It took them a minute to realize what we were saying! Then we made CDs with it on there for family that lives out of state.
Husband: We met at church for dinner before a class we were taking. I offered to pray before we ate. At the end I added, "Thank you Jesus for our new little baby."
Family: We had the family over for Thanksgiving (as always, this was not out of the ordinary). I have this picture as the centerpiece on each table:
The day after Thanksgiving we sent these out as our Christmas cards for the family out of state.
Husband: I was so surprised I brought the test out immediately and showed him!
Family: There were actually a few ways we announced this baby!
On Father's Day I gave our dads a card like this:
I met my Bestie for lunch and gave her a puzzle to put together:
"Time to buy a minivan, we're adding another to our clan"
She was so excited!
Bobby's sister got married the weekend of Father's Day. We didn't want ot tell the fmaily before the wedding because that was her day. But also didn't want her to find out last! So I gave her a bag to open in their hotel room. It hada bottle of water in it it. The note said, "We had to replace the water with some from home because there is something in the water at our house! Drink it up so our babies can have birthdays together!" I wish I had taken a picture of it!
We posted this picture on Facebook and tagged the family out of state:
We made our own version of it before B came home from work! Jeremy loved it! So did Daddy!
Family: I text the video to family. And this was posted on FB:
Baby #3 didn't get to have a close birthday with his/her cousin but Baby #4 does! We are 6 weeks apart:
It's so fun to come up with creative ways to announce a baby! Each baby is a blessing that deserves to be celebrated!! Have fun with it!! Pinterest is a great resource to get the creative juices flowing!
The baby is the size of an apple, busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Although his/her eyes lids are still fused shut, they can sense light.
We FINALLY got to see our doctor! Yay! It was quite a process of missing appointments and insurances jargon and . . . Well, you get the point! But we saw her and decided on a plan of action!
We are going to start the 17P injection (progesterone) at 16 weeks this time around. This is to see if we can prevent preterm labor all together, since I still went into active labor at 31 weeks with Capri. The doctor will also be checking my cervix through an ultrasound every 2 weeks to keep an eye out for early dilation! That's where we are at this week!
Updates to come weekly with how my body is reacting to the injection starting next week!
We will have ultrasound pictures of the growing baby on Friday!
It's pregnancy has been crazy! I am soooo hungry and tired! AND I already look like I swallowed a mini basketball! Guess my body just knows what to do the 4th time around! Or we are having twins! We have been praying for twins!
Each family must chose the right decision for their family.
Which is NOT the same for EVERY family!
I know this is such a controversial subject, BUT I feel like there is a lot of information out there and people don't know about it! They just go with what their doctor says. We need to be an advocate for our own healthcare. Now, I am not bashing doctors in any way; I think they are very necessary! I'm just saying we should be educated on what is best for our family, weather its what the doctor suggests or an alternative method.
I have quite a few friends that are about to be first time mommies and have asked for information. . . .
I asked friends on FB to give me the vaccine schedule they decided on for their family and the resources they use. Here is the information:
1. One family we know decided not to vaccinate their children. They have read and loved the information in this book:
2. Another family has also read that book and decided to only give 2 shots each time.
3. Another friend, a nurse in the NICU and expecting her first baby, shared this article on giving the Vitamin K injection at birth.
Here are some quotes from friends on both sides:
". . . one thing I do find imperative is the importance of reading the whole article and sources, if references are not provided the article shouldn't even be considered, in my opinion. There are so many biased articles available on the Internet regarding vaccinating, it makes it difficult for parents to truly come to an educated decision. We have decided to vaccinate and I do not believe vaccines cause autism. In general, I have found that many articles claiming there is proof that the MMR vaccine causes autism neglect to communicate that people who were awarded pay outs from pharm companies had other reactions to the MMR vaccine unrelated to autism."
"I always vaccinate my kids." This is from a friend that shared the story of her cousin choosing not to give her daughter the flu shot. Her little girl died on day 2 of the flu because it had deteriorated her organs.
"I made my decision based on some seminars & the movie The Greater Good. Our decisions were based on the ingredients, that most of the diseases haven't had cases in decades, & that there is no guarantee that you won't catch the disease if you do get the vaccine. Also, for Rotovirus in particular, my ped said that if a child does get it, it's treatable with Pedialite so I chose not to pump my child full of horrible ingredients for something that isn't fatal." All that said and with all the research Bobby and I have done, our decision is to vaccinate our kids on a modified schedule. We give them a MAX of 2 shots each time. As of now, they are behind the FDA schedule, but will be caught up by 5 years old. The reason behind this: We feel the risks of what the vaccination "might do" significantly out way the possibility of contracting the virus. At the end of the day, if one of our children ends up with any of the things we vaccinate for; would we be questioning and blaming ourselves for not vaccinating? The answer is: Yes.
Some scenarios to ponder: We live in a very diverse culture and not every one is vaccianted. Overseas trips might not happen on a convenient timeline. Few of vaccinated illness lead to death or serious medical complications. Proper nutrition is proven to boost immunites and minimize effects of common illnesses.
I hope I displayed all the sides in a non-contraversial way. I ask that there is no banter in the comments section, and that each person reading this respects the opinions of others and their stance on vaccines.
This post was ONLY to offer opinions of parents that have done their research. Please, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Look into all the possibilities. The is plenty of information available, and plenty of opinions. This isn't a topic to simply listen to a frined of a friend, or even this blog ALONE. Read FDA, CDC, Medical Journals, Case studies, and research the actual chemical composition and pharmacology. I know that we all have busy lives, but time for this should be a priority. Additionally, be prepared to defend you decision (you will recieve different opinions from others). Be an advocate for ALL you own health care, not only vaccination. Decide what's best for YOUR family! Each family is different and I believe God has a specific plan for EACH family. Not the SAME plan for EVERY family.
