Pregnancy Update: 36 Weeks (17P Injection)

Heidi now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (about the size of a romaine lettuce.) She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body,
the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. 

My mom took the kids to her house for a few days this week. Bobby was thankful to get a little break! AND he even went with me to get a pedicure! He says it's a once a decade thing!

Top right. . . Scraping his callous' tickled so bad he was biting his hand! 

Monday, I started having contractions again. They lasted for 2 hours at 4 minutes apart (4/10 on the pain scale), then stopped! 2 hours later they started again! So we went to the hospital, assuming if they kept coming there must be a cervical change. Labor and delivery was really busy. I was in a wheelchair in the waiting room for 2 hours. . . and the contractions stopped! Sigh. We decided to go home without being checked.

Wednesday, the doctor cleared me to be off bed rest!! Waaaahoooo!! I am 100% effaced, meaning my cervix is is VERY thin, 2cm dilated and she could feel the baby's head. She said she doesn't think I will make it to my appointment next week! The contractions from earlier in the week are doing their job. She said she thinks when the actual labor comes it will be fast! It's so refreshing knowing she is healthy and can come at any time! All the praise goes to God and the prayers that have been sent up over the past 10 weeks! Thank you! I cleaned 3 rooms yesterday! It felt so good. I was uncomfortable the whole time but now it's ok to be uncomfortable!

Thursday: Being off bed rest is a total change in mind set. I had contractions again today. We waited 5 hours this time to see if they stuck around or faded like earlier in the week. When they persisted, we decided to go in. At this point they were a 6/10 on the pain scale. The doctor checked me and I am 3.5cm dilated. 1.5cm more then 24 hours before at my doctor's appointment. The contractions lasted for 12 hours with no further dilation! exhausting! Since there was no cervical change they said go home, take a bath, get some sleep. That's exactly what I did and the contractions subsided.

We walked to the store

Bobby and I are tired. We are anxious to have our baby. We don't want her to come too much later because Bobby is already off work. Each day she stays put, is another day he doesn't get to spend with her. But each day she stays in, is another day closer to full gestation! Anyway, we need to be at peace with however long she stays in! WE feel like we are getting to experience a true pregnancy! The anticipation, the wonder, the patience. With Jeremy and Capri it was not like that!

We are so excited to meet this little girl! Jeremy has changed his prayers from:

"Keep the baby safe in Mommy's belly until it's time to come out" 

to 

"Thank you for keeping the baby safe. Please let her come out so I can snuggle." 

Cheers until next week! 

Pregnancy Update: 35 Weeks (17P Injection)

I am so excited to report we have made it to 35 weeks! I received my LAST injection this week! Bobby is popping the Champagne as we speak! Not really, but he should! He really hates giving me injections! In all the case studies we read, they went into labor one week after injections stopped.

You can find all the detail of Capri at 35 weeks here.
With Capri, it was the same. EVEN to the HOUR! I got my injections at 9pm on Wednesdays. At 37 weeks, at 9pm, I started contacting! She was born at 7am Thursday morning! I had a shot at 36 weeks with Capri. With Rowan they are stopping at 35. . . So, next week I will either have another pregnancy update or a BABY update! And definitely a name for our girl! If I'm still pregnant, I will be able to be up a little more! Woo Hoo!

Name Update: We have decided to use Bobby's middle name: Loren with our girl! So, right now we are looking at Heidi Rae Loren Martens OR Rowan Loren Martens. We are still open to other combinations if you have any ideas. . . .

Here's some bed rest pictures! I'm soaking up my time with only 2, Capri being the only girl and the baby! GAH! Life is about to change so much!

Snuggles after nap!
Note Capri's big girl bed on the background!

Girl talk with Mama

Pregnancy Update: 34 Weeks

Heidi now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a honeydew) and is almost 18 inches long.
Her fat layers are filling her out, she'll need these to regulate her body temperature
Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature.
Babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine.
They may need a short stay in the NICU and may have a few short-term health issues,
but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

That little girl could barely hold the honeydew! In the bottom picture she is grunting! I just love the one she is looking up at me! My sweet girl has NO idea what having a baby sister entails! 

Jeremy was too busy playing in the mud with Dillon and Drew to take a silly picture! 

We had 2 labor scares this week! They were 4 days apart! The first started Friday (33w, 1d). Contractions were 4 minutes apart.  We called a friend that lives near us to stay the night with the kids and headed to the hospital. The hospital was busy that night. We had to wait in the waiting room for an hour and a half. We got into a bed, hooked up to the monitors, they gave Procardia to stop contractions.  The first dose didn't work, contractions were coming every 2 minutes and were a 4/10 intensity. After a second dose and a lot of prayer, they calmed down! They gave me a steroid injection to help the baby's lungs develop in case labor struck again and they weren't able to stop it. We were sent home in the morning with stricter bed rest guidelines.  Our dear friends, David and Danielle, picked the kids up in the morning and kept them all day and night! We got some much needed rest, Bobby got a night off from being Daddy. We had to be back at the hospital at 6 am Sunday morning to get the 2nd steroid injection. 

Tuesday night (33w, 5d), I started contracting every 4 minutes with a 6/10 intensity. Bobby was working so I called him home.  These contractions were much stronger and I thought my water may have broken. I was scared. I thought I was delivering a baby that night. Bobby's mom was here to stay with the kids. I cried on the way to hospital, praying the contractions would stop. They got me in a room quite fast. Got an IV and Procardia on board and we waited. After the 2nd dose, they calmed down. PHEW! Thanking Jesus, we headed home in the morning. We got a little nap in and took a trip to see my doctor. She said they don't know why I am contracting and not dilating but she doesn't want me on Procardia anymore. She said since I will be 34 weeks they will just labor play out, if it happens again. 

We made it to 34 weeks! This is a great milestone for us to reach!! Jeremy was born right at 34 weeks. I am now 34 and 1 day! That's cause for celebration. . . as much as one can celebrate while laying in a bed! Haha! Maybe I'll have some Girl Scout cookies! The injections have been going well. A bit sore on the injection site but it goes away in a few hours.  

Please join us in praying that I can make it to 36 weeks! 13 more days would do SO much for our little girl! But also pray that if she comes before that we are able to "go with the flow" so to speak with a baby that may have to spend some time in the hospital. 

Thank you for your prayers! 

Pregnancy Update: 33 Weeks

Rowan weighs a little over 4 pounds (about the size of a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. Her skeleton is hardening. The bones in her skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for her to fit through the birth canal. 

Incredible thankful to have made it to 33 weeks! This is further then I have made it with the other 2! By this time I had been in "active labor" with both. Granted I have had MANY more weeks bed rest. Maybe that's the key!

Jeremy wanted to take OUR picture this week!
He's a goober!

We were an hour late on my injection last night and I started having contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting 45 seconds!  Thanks you God for progesterone! Within an hour of taking it, drinking lots of water, and laying flat they subsided. Phew!

I need to start taking more pictures!
Top Left: Love my snuggles with her after naps!
Top Right: Silly faces during school time.
Middle Left: Helping with laundry.
Middle Right: Capri singing to the baby! Gush!
Bottom: Sitting loving on each other!

The kids have been doing great. The are so patient with everybody that comes over to help care for them. Bobby has 3 more shifts until he is home for 6 weeks! I'm so thankful for his job! He will be working SO much when he goes back to pay the guys back that helped him out. It's a small price to pay to have him home now!

I think that's about all this week!
Here's Capri's pregnancy update at 33 weeks!

Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

Heidi weighs 3 3/4 pounds (the size of a jicama) and about 16.7 inches long.I will be gain about a pound a week. Roughly half of that goes right to the baby.
She'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks!

This is the week with both Jeremy and Capri I went into "active labor." I was having contractions 5 minutes part. By this point I was fully effaced and 3cm dilated. Thankfully they were able to stop labor and give me an injection. We'll see how this little girl's 32nd week plays out! As of yesterday I was not dilated and no contractions! Praise the Lord! I went to see my chiropractor this week! He is awesome! My back has felt good for 3 days now!

Time for the monthly update! 

How far along?  32 Weeks

Total weight gain:  25 pounds
Maternity clothes? Yep! I don't think there are any non-maternity in my closet. Well, a few dresses that work!
Stretch marks? Nope! I'm still in awe!
Miss Anything? I miss playing with the kids!
Movement: Oh yes! Constantly!
Food cravings: Not really

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: GIRL!! This week is even so we are calling her Heidi.
Labor Signs: I'm still getting contractions when I push too hard.
Belly Button in or out? I think it's still IN but Bobby begs to differ!
Wedding rings on or off? OFF! I had to take it off last week!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Watching Bobby fall in love with another girl!

I thought it might be cool to compare Capri's pregnancy with this one!
Find Capri at 32 weeks here.

Pregnancy Update: 31 Weeks

Baby Rowan (Odd week) measures over 16 inches long and weighs about 3 1/3 pounds, size of a pineapple. She is heading into a growth spurt.
She can turn her head from side to side, and her arms, legs, and body
 are beginning to plump out.

How cute are those two! Showing their brotherly/sisterly love!

Yea! Another week down! I took my wedding ring off this week! I don't like coming to this decision! But it would be awful to have it cut off. I've been having night sweats. Blah! I sleep on a towel and ditch it when it gets too wet! Gross, right! Oh, the glories of pregnancy they don't tell you about when you see that little positive sign! I wouldn't change it for anything!

I have had a little rough time, emotionally lately. You can read about it here.

I feel like it's time to start getting ready. Like clean and wash all the parts to the bassinet, get the newborn cloths out, rearrange my room to fit the baby stuff. I'm so thankful family from Vermont will be here next week to help with all that! PLUS, we need to pick a "come home from the hospital" outfit. I love that part!

I have been wondering where I was at this point in Capri's pregnancy (Jeremy's also but I didn't keep as detailed of an account of it as blogging wasn't around!). Here's Capri at 31 weeks! I know the pictures are not showing up! it's a glitch I need to solve!

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks!

Heidi is about 15.7 inches and weighs almost 3 pounds (about the size of a large cabbage). 

In addition to the baby, I am carrying around a pint and a half of amniotic fluid. 

Her eyesight is continuing to develop this week.

We still haven't decided on a name: Heidi or Rowan, anf I would like to call her something! So every other week I will switch off. Even weeks: Heidi. Odd weeks: Rowan.

We are moving right along! My doctor's appointment showed more progress in the labor stages. I am fully effaced but not dilated. Bottom line: I need to stay off my feet! Our goal is 6 more weeks. The doctor will check my cervix in 2 weeks, if I have started dilating they will given me a steroid shot to help develop the baby's lungs more rapidly, in case she comes earlier than 36 weeks.

My back is SCREEEAMING at me theses days. The doctor said my uterus is done stretching from breastbone to pelvis, so it's now stretching out! Which explains the back pain!

After telling a dear friend the update, her response was: "I wish I could give you my uterus. Mine [kids] have to be evicted and yours want to be emancipated!" Her daughter was born 10 days late and she carried twins until 38 weeks! They were 7lbs each! B and I were laughing at her wit!

It's pretty much a waiting game at this point. On the days Bobby works, we will have someone here in the morning until the kids go down for a nap (8am-1pm) and then another shift from when they wake up until bed time (330pm-8pm).  My sister and Dad's wife are coming out to spend a week with us to help!! SO thankful for that! We really have a great support system! People have been here around the clock: cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, chickens, & dog! It's amazing to see God's work in all of this. We absolutely love our Community of Family, and Friends.

Pregnancy Update: 29 Weeks

Our Baby girl weighs in at 2.5lbs, the size of a butternut squash, she's al title over 15 inches long.
Her muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and
her head is getting bigger to accommodate her growing brain. Every day, about 200 milligrams of calcium is deposited in the baby's skeleton.
No wonder I'm hungry ALL the time!

It's getting a bit tougher to move around! My hips "snap and pop" constantly. My sciatic hasn't been as bad as a few weeks ago, but getting up off the floor and just moving and twisting in general is hard! To be expected, of course. I'm pretty much done with the day by 6pm! I have been having contractions each night but they are not that intense and they go away within an hour, so nothing to be concerned about.

My amazing husband has been so great these past few weeks! He just jumps in and takes care of all that needs to be done. Never once complaining! God has truly blessed me with him.

I'm struggling this week with the realization of the reality that this has to be our last pregnancy. I don't think it's fair to put our kids, family, and friends through it again. This is SO difficult because we wanted a big family, which it still an option with adoption. I'm also realizing the plan to have many kids was not God's plan for us, it was ours and we made those plans without praying about it. We have now transitioned to praying about what the completion of our family will look like. In addition, praying for contentment in the process of hearing the answer and accepting it.

See you at 30 weeks! Each week closer to 37 is a HUGE blessing! 

  

Pregnancy Update: 28 weeks

Capri's sass crack us up!
Heidi or Rowan weighs 2 1/4 pounds, about the size of an eggplant,
and is about 14.8 inches.  She can open and close her eyes, which now have lashes!

We saw our doctor this week! It was good news. She said since the tightening is not coming and going like contractions and I am not dilating, she is not too worried. Take it easy, sit and rest when I need to, ask  for help with the kids when I need to but at this point bed rest is not necessary! Praise the Lord! This was great news! 

At the appointment I also got Rhogam (because my blood type is O- and B's is O+ my body can reject the baby fighting against blood types. I'll have to get another one at the time of delivery), dTap to protect the baby and I against whooping cough, blood draw, and my Progesterone injection! WHEW! That was a lot of sticks in my arm! We were hesitant to do the dTap, but after researching and talking with the doctor we decided the risk of the baby getting whooping cough was much worse then the possible side effects of the shot. 

Time for the monthly update! 

How far along?  28 Weeks

Total weight gain:  21 pounds
Maternity clothes? Yep! Yoga pants are my favorite! They are just so flexible!
Stretch marks? Nope! I can't believe I am 3 kids into this and no stretch marks. I feel blessed.
Miss Anything? I miss being up and around without my stomach tightening. Taking the time to sit and let it relax is hard to do, 
Movement: She just might be an Olympic swimmer!
Food cravings: Salami and Kelbasa! B made a yummy dinner the other night! Egg noodles, bell peppers, Kelbasa! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: GIRL!! Still haven't chosen a name! 
Labor Signs: Contractions every now and then. They have gone away when I lay down. 
Belly Button in or out? In but threatening to pop out!
Wedding rings on or off? ON, but getting tight and making an imprint, so it may have to come off soon.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Jeremy meeting the baby girl he sings to all the time! He loves to feel her kick while he's singing.

Pregnancy Update 27 Weeks

They are saying, "Baby stay in!"
Little Miss is weighing in at almost 2 pounds, about the size of a coconut, and measuring 14 1/2 inches.
She has developed waking and sleeping patterns, although I can't tell. It seems she is always awake! Even in the middle of the night when I wake up to pee! She is opening and closing her eyes and her brain development is more active. 

One week down of bed rest, 10 more to go! That number seems unimaginable! I have to take each day one at a time or I get overwhelmed thinking about the amount of time. And being anxious about it or stressed is only going to make it worse for the baby. They say at 28 weeks, doctors cold sustain her life if she were born this early. So our prayer this week is, 7 more days! Of course we would rather 10 more weeks, but I need short term goals to keep sane! I still seem to have no symptoms from the progesterone. I am waking up a few times a night sweating! But I'm pretty sure that's a pregnancy symptom, not related to the progesterone. We have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday. I'm so thankful! I need to see MY doctor and get some clear orders of her opinion on how we should handle this. The doctor's I saw at the hospital had opposing views! 

I'll see ya next week! 

They were playing outside all day! I love the dirt on their faces! 

Pregnancy Update 26 weeks

She weighs 1 2/3pounds (lettuce) and measures 14 inches (Green onions)
The network of nerves in the baby's ears is developing this week.
She is inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid for essential development of her lungs.

This week turned out to be the start of "moderate bed rest." This basically means I need to pace myself and sit and relax when I get uncomfortable. I was getting a tightening feeling each time I was up and walking around. After 24 hours of constant tightening unless I was sitting with my feet up, we decided to go in. The motor didn't show anything for the first couple of hours because i was in a bed laying down. Then contractions started coming about every 3 minutes. They only lasted about an hour. Since they stopped themselves I was sent home. They told me to do what I could but sit when I got too uncomfortable. Bobby had taken a few hours off in the morning so we could get the kids squared away and my mom headed over to help. When he got to work, they sent him home saying he needed to be with his family. He works for a great department! 

He had the rest of the weekend off! So I'm taking it way easy! EVERY time I am up on my feet I'm way tight. Thankfully we have a great support system that has been very helpful! 

The goal is to keep this little girl in for 11 more weeks! We would love all the prayer we can get! 

I just can't pass up the shot where she is looking up at me! 

Pregnancy Update 25 weeks

Our little girl is about 13 inches long, weighing 1 1/2 pounds, putting her at about the size of a Cauliflower.
She is gaining some baby fat this week growing more hair, if we could see it,
we'd be able to discern its color and texture.

I am having trouble with my sciatic nerve this week! The baby is really sitting on it. I got a massage, she was able to relieve it but as soon as I stood up, the little girl went right back to her comfy spot. I've been a;tenanting hot and cold and changing my sleeping position to sleep on my left side. Some days are better then others. I had the pain with Jeremy and Capri but this one is much worse. My hip would give out from time to time with the other 2 but I could catch it and it wasn't every day. This pregnancy is every day and I have fallen a few times! Luckily, since I am homebound haven't fallen in public! Or hurt anything! 

The kids are getting used to our new "home body" routine. Capri is coming up with new ways to do things!  She carries a step stool around to get up on things like the bed, couch, chairs! She is pretty clever! She understands I can't pick her up and asks me to go to the couch to read or snuggle or change her diaper. We decided to take Jeremy out of preschool. It was a long discussion, filled with advice form anybody that would listen! You can read about it here: Our Preschool Decision. So. . .  I have been homeschooling him. He loves it! I really enjoy it too! Capri gets to be a part of it and learn as well! 

I DO get cabin fever a little. When Bobby gets home I'm happy to go to the grocery store! We went on date that included a romantic dinner and a trip to Babies R Us! Ha! But the good news is that we fit 3 carseats in our 4runner, meaning we don't have to BUY A NEW CAR!! Thank you Jesus!! We also scored 50% off an infant carseat with coupons! 

Before I leave you I wanted to share another picture from this week! I love how Capri is looking up at me! She's so sweet! Jeremy was with Gigi this week, that's why he isn't in it. 

Pregnancy Update 24 Weeks

The kids were in a silly mood this week!
Our baby girl has gained 4 oz since last week! Making her 1 1/3 pounds. Since she's almost a foot long,she's about the size of an ear of corn. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help her air sacs inflate once she hits the outside world.

Time for the monthly update! 

How far along?  24 Weeks

Total weight gain: 17 pounds
Maternity clothes? Yep! I am loving wearing Bobby's shirts during the day, at home.
Stretch marks? Nope!
Miss Anything? Picking up my sweet girl when she wants to be carried.
Movement: She just might be a gymnast! 
Food cravings: I could really go for some tamales with an over medium egg on top!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Gender: GIRL!! We are still deciding on names! I think we may have to wait until she is born to decide!
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: Nursing. I love breastfeeding!
Ultrasound check in: My cervix is still the same! 2.4cm No shortening in the last 2 weeks! Whoot whoot! 

I felt hiccups this week! It's such a cool feeling!
Little Miss Martens gained 2 cousins! As soon as we get a picture of William Sloat we will share it. He was born on December 15, 2013.
And the youngest, as of now, Levi William Heidtmann, born on December 29, 2013.

Pregnancy Update 23 weeks

 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. 

I'll be seeing you at the 24 weeks update! 

Pregnancy Update Baby 22 weeks

 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! 

Pregnancy Update 19, 20, & 21 Weeks

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! 

Pregnancy Update 17 Weeks

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!

That's all for this week! See you at 18 weeks!

Pregnancy Update 18 Weeks

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!

Pregnancy Update - 16 Weeks

The baby is the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces,

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. 

Odd weeks will be "he" 

Even weeks will be "She."

Pregnancy Update - 15 weeks

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!