A Time For Every Season....

I had my doctor's appointment today, it went much better than I expected. Little Abby is nice and snug, I haven't dropped yet and when the doc checked me she said I "wasn't yet a centimeter dilated," which means all those nasty contractions aren't doing much to progress labor. My blood pressure was high (135/94), but I'm not spilling protein which is really good. My BP has been running around those numbers the past few days, so I wasn't shocked, plus the pressure went down once I laid on my side. They did run more blood work, just to make sure my body isn't reacting too much to the high pressures. I didn't gain anything these past two weeks; which is actually a good thing. I cut out as much salt as I could, so I didn't expect much weight gain. It also means I'm not retaining much water - which is shocking since I'm drinking a small pond each day. In total I've gained 20 pounds! That is a nice record, since I gained 65 with Drew ...

I had a great appointment today! At 26 weeks our little peanut is growing and moving as she should be. She is in the head down position and pressing nicely on my bladder! I thought she had moved from transverse last week to the head down position since all her little movements started to feel different. I guess I was right!  I had another scan today and despite all the contractions, mostly between 5 & 10 pm, my cervix hasn't thinned or shortened! That is wonderful news, it means the contractions aren't doing anything for the time being. I also inquired about my iron levels since I've been addicted, and I mean addicted, to ice over the past month. My iron was indeed low so I'm on some prescription iron pills, since the OTC ones made me so very sick. I also came very close to failing my glucose test, praise the Lord that my doc is so understanding and allowed me to fall right on the line of passing. I had a 137 and the range for passing is 130, but can be as high as...

Very early this morning I awoke to pains resembling labor, only it was just short term indigestion. Never the less, it left me awake and with some adrenaline to insure I didn't fall back asleep. Memories flooded my mind of the two births I'd already walked through and then gave anticipation towards the pending birth of our daughter. As I lay awake, I meditated on the vast differences between the births of my two boys. Then in the quiet, the Lord showed me Himself through those trials of labor. A labor of love which I willingly accepted. Drew's birth was my hardest, I'd spent 3 months cooped up in bed, no birthing classes, nothing to prepare me to labor - after all I'd spent 3 months keeping myself out of labor, what would make me think of preparing for the actual event? It seems silly now, but at the time I was so consumed with all the things I couldn't do that I forgot to focus on the things I could do. So when the anticipated day, that 24 th day of January, ...

We're so excited to welcome a little girl into our clan of boys! We went in today for our gender test and came out glowing with excitement. My placenta previa is no longer! The uterus has moved and the placenta is now 180 degree's from where it was two weeks ago... weird I know. I swear that two nights ago when I got up from bed, after some serious cramping, I looked bigger. My thought was, maybe I had a tipped uterus which is why I haven't really shown much? I wondered what today would show, I'm so excited that I don't have to worry about a previa! The placenta is now perfectly where we want it! The lady also noticed some hair growing on our little girl's head, she asked if our other children had lots of hair because she typically doesn't see hair at 18 weeks. John and I both laughed since both boys have had tons of hair and I had a ton of indigestion! I also received my first progesterone injection on Friday ... thanks to my wonderful husband who volunte...

By Week 13, the baby is taking on a more human look. The baby's eyes begin to move from the sides of the head to the front. The baby also has many internal changes happening as well. The intestines move down from the umbilical cord to the abdomen. Also the villi in the baby's intestines are forming which will be crucial when digestion and peristalsis begin to occur. Even the baby's tiny pancreas is beginning to produce insulin this week. All of this occurs when this little fetus is only about an ounce in weight and about 3 inches long! Read more: http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/pregnancy_week_to_week_week_13#ixzz0NvQFioJ7

I had my checkup today, everything went great. Our peanut is growing and had a normal heart rate (174). I gain a pound since a month ago but my tummy is protruding a lot - my body is already changing. The boys are super excited about having a little brother or sister. I'm excited for the morning sickness to go away.... still waiting! I'd also love my energy back! The boys have been enjoying the hot weather, we swam in the whale pool this evening and made some rice krispy treats for the kiddo's to enjoy. Drew and Gabe were so excited! I've been busy saving money - I took a few months sabbatical from couponing while we cleaned out the cupboards and freezer. Now I'm getting back into the couponing. Here are a few of the deals I did this week to get free food! 10 boxes of Rice Krispies at Albertson's which cost 8.00 (oop) after coupons and in store ad. I will receive a 10.00 rebate check sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. So I made 2.00 - here come the Rice Krispy tre...

We'll I'm still sick at 10.5 weeks. Each day I awake thinking "maybe today I'll get back my energy and stop getting sick." With Drew I wasn't sick more than a few days, with Gabe it was about a month. We're on week 8 with our little peanut with no end in sight. I'm exhausted, but that may be from having two energetic boys, two trips to Oregon in a month and putting our house on the market? We had a great time in Oregon for our short visit. We're frantically getting the last minute house details completed so it can get put on the market the day we leave. We just finished painting the door black, adding brushed nickel accents, cleaning the carpets and floors, and re-painting the existing baseboards. I've also been cleaning up the garden and sprucing up the grounds with some new color. We've been so busy and things around here must know we're leaving because everything is breaking! John and I just laugh at the humor of it all. One funny ...

We've had a lot going on in our home the past few weeks! Our biggest news was finding our that we're expecting baby Williams #3! He/She is due on Valentines Day, though we'll probably end up delivering around Drew's birthday in January. Drew was due February 19 th and arrived January 24. I found out while John was in Oregon and surprised him at the airport with our positive pregnancy test. I'm still a little in shock, but very excited! Last week was great I wasn't sick at all and haven't had any morning sickness. Friday I started to have cramping and a bloated feeling. So far I've just been feeling really full and nothing looks appetizing to eat - even sugar! It has been great not craving sugar - in fact I've been detesting it! I've started to get really tired just like with my last two. It should end by t he second trimester though. Drew is super excited about another sibling and keeps telling me its going to be a girl - we'll see! In oth...

John and I were eating breakfast at IHOP talking about how our life was about to change! Then we drove across the street to the hospital and Gabe was born at 3:33 pm. Oh, how our lives did change! Those times went by too quickly. I can't believe it has been a whole year. Now my little baby is walking all over the house!

Tonight I sit, alone, wondering, What would my life have been, Had grace not swooped down, Covered this heart of sin Changed me from within? One year ago tonight I sat, Alone, wondering, What will my life be like, With the blessing of two sons? A quiver full of young hearts Soon to become men, Will it change me? One year ago I didn't know, How one little life of joy, Could bless my heart, Change my life of structure, Through deep soul searching, Deep pressures, Only God knows the growing, wrestling, praying, stirring within my soul. You, my son challenged my faith, You put pressure where I needed to grow, Growing from 3 to 4 was more than painful, That pain, more than just birth pains, Forced lives to change, Forced habits to change, Forced my mind to change, Forced holiness to sprout from within. Thank you Lord for grace and life , the grace only you can give, the life only you can create, the love of raising this child, Brings me to my knees. May I Shepherd this little heart, Ma...

(John after eating his Thanksgiving Meal!) We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, spent with family! It was so much fun to get together, play games, eat tons of food and take turns cuddling with little Gabe. Drew loved all the extra attention as well, Daddy brought home a huge box from Home Depot and made Drew his own fort, equipped with a window, door, and lighting system (flashlight). Drew has been enjoying all his family, especially his Grandma Patti and Tio ! Grandma Patti has captivated little Drew with her songs and Tio has been Drew's personal playmate for the weekend. It has been so much fun! Little Gabe had his first checkup on Friday, he was a little jaundiced, but nothing the Doctor was too worried about. Gabe weighed in at 6 pounds 4 ounces - he lost very little after birth (1/8 of an ounce) and has maintained his weight all week. The doctor said my breast milk must be made of butter - most babies take 2 weeks to get back to their birth weight. Gabe;s eating style is very d...

We are so excited to announce that Gabriel Allan Williams arrived on Monday, November 19, 2007. He was 36 weeks 6 days old. Gabe was 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long and has a full head of dark brown hair. Gabe was born at 3:39 in the afternoon and was very healthy upon arrival - thank you Lord for another baby that didn't spend time in the NICU!. We only stayed at the hospital 24 hours and are now home enjoying our family of 4! Drew isn't too sure about his new little brother but he loves to hold him and tell people when he is crying. To ease some of Drew's tension his Grandma's bought him a baby boy doll that he can feed and hold and dress. The doll has been a huge success and has helped Drew feel more involved and included. Drew loves to be included in everything we are doing with Gabe! For those women who are curious about the birth story, I'll now delve into the finer details of Gabe's arrival. Monday morning John and I went into the Dr's office for...

I went in today for a routine checkup, my BP was about the same. All looked well, I am dilated to a 3 already! My last progesterone injection was on Tuesday so I hope it is safe to say we should deliver next week - pending no BP issues. I can't believe I had dilated from a 1 to a 3 in one week because I haven't been having any contractions. Dr. W. said that the combination of the baby's weight plus the fact that I have already had a child before could dilate me. So, my next appointment is on Monday 11/19 - a great date for a birthday? One funny moment I just had to share. Tonight John said to Drew " OK Drew" in that voice that Drew knows so well. Drew completed his sentence by iterating " Two minutes." John is always preparing Drew for changes like getting ready for bed or getting into the bath. The timing on this was perfect!

Week Thirty-Six Your baby is almost ready and most likely, so are you! The only organ still to mature is the lungs. While certainly you are both growing anxious to meet, remember that each day (up to 42 weeks), that your little one stays within your womb will multiply his chances to breathe on his own. If he hasn't already, this week your baby may drop into the birth canal. While breathing for mom becomes easier, walking may be the exact opposite! If he's not your first baby, this "lightening" may not occur until right before labor. Fat is dimpling your baby's elbows and knees, and forming creases in the neck and wrists. His skin is growing smooth and, shall we say it, "baby" soft. His gums are very rigid. It won't be many months before you'll see his teeth. She has a fully developed pair of kidneys and her liver has begun processing some waste products. Your child's average size is now 18.66 inches (47.4cm) and 5.78 pounds (2622 g). Between ...

We are back from an overnight trip spent in Labor and Delivery. I went in on Saturday evening with a blood pressure of 150+/102+. My BP had progressively worsened throughout the day, I was also having upper gastric pain and a very mild headache. John, my knight, stayed with me the whole night while they monitored my BP , took blood labs, 12 hours of urine samples, and the highlight - an ultrasound of little Gabe. All checked out well and my BP was able to get back within normal range by late evening. Little Gabe measured on the small side - 5 pounds 8 oz and mommy and daddy enjoyed watching him on the monitor. The blood flow from the placenta to his body looked great, which is what I was worrying about. My doctor sent me home on bed rest until Wednesday, when we will re-evaluate everything. It would be great to get to 37 weeks! Drew handled the whole thing with much ease, he spent the night with Nana and then went to church this morning. He visited us around 1:00 this afternoon and t...

The human body is an amazing thing! I made an early appointment to see my OB today, I have had a feeling my blood pressure was starting to rise and my contractions were getting more regular and painful. i was amazed to discover that my blood pressure was 140/90! Then my doctor looked at my chart from Drew and would you believe that my body did the exact same thing at the exact same time? On Monday I will be going in for another appointment and if history repeats itself I could be sent to Labor and Delivery to induce labor. I would be exactly 35 weeks 6 days, the exact same gestation that Drew was born. Dr. W stated that some bodies are just like that, they only go up to a certain point and then the BP rises in the body's attempt at delivering the baby. The good news is that I am still 1 CM dilated and only 50-60% effaced - I really was expecting her to say 3 CM! Little Gabe's head is down and somewhat movable. Gabe is still moving well and keeping active. The toxemia hasn'...

Well, for 35 weeks I have had great news to report, alas those times are changing. I went in today for a routine exam and discovered that I am 1 CM dilated and the thinning process has begun. I have had a lot of pain in my lower pelvic area so I think my body is getting ready for our upcoming birth. I also have had a hard time getting rid of the swelling in my legs and had a little protein in my urine, but not enough to worry about yet. I have to make it to 36 weeks so the Dr. wants me to take it easy - no picking up Drew or getting to active. I am so glad to be hearing this at 35 weeks instead of 22 - like with Drew! On the bright front, my BP has remained low 124/72, Gabe's head is down and he has dropped a little, but not into the birth canal . In fact, my Dr. was able to couple his head with her fingers and move it to the left and right. Gabe's buttox wraps around my right rib cage and his feet and fingers are on the left side of my tummy. His heart rate was also very stro...

Your baby acts completely like a newborn, with her eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping. You may also find her settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times. She has learned to blink. She can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on your stomach and probably has the outline of all your organs memorized! Antibodies from your blood are being tranferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breastmilk will add even more protection against disease. Your baby may have already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth. If he is your first baby, he may be settling into the pelvis with his head pressing against your cervix. Fingernails have reached the end of the fingertips now. She may scratch her face even before she is born! Your little one's length is 17.7 inches (45cm) and weight is 4.7 pounds (2146 g).

We had a very ordinary week just playing around the house, Drew went to school on Monday and Wednesday, and John went to therapy appointments. I had my mom2mom on Thursday and book club Thursday evening. We spent the weekend cleaning the house and playing at Nana's. We also had Bible Study on Sunday afternoon where Drew enjoyed playing with friends and Mommy and Daddy enjoyed their study on parenting. John just received the OK from his doctor to return to work full time. That's a huge relief since HD hadn't been giving John any hours as a part time employee. John also had an interview for a science teacher on Monday so we are praying diligently about him being hired. Drew has not been listening as well as he should so Mommy and Daddy are cracking back down again on the discipline - evenings seem to be when it all falls apart! Drew is talking up a storm, asking tons of questions and he always has to mention his teachers "Lilo and Nene ." Drew loves school and rea...

Fetal development in pregnancy week 33: fetus in eighth month For all the weight and bulk you’re lugging around these days, you’d think your little champ should weigh much more than a mere 5 lbs and measly 17 inches in height, but nope, that’s about the average size for a baby in its thirty-third week. In terms of appearances, they’re getting cuter and pudgier every minute as they pile on the baby fat for those adorable little wrist rolls and chubby toes. And as we’re sure you’ve already noticed they’re getting stronger with every passing day. Nowadays, it’s possible to observe a well-placed kick just by watching your belly—but you already knew that didn’t you? Although they’re getting stronger, your bigger-by-the-day baby is losing space to move around, so the actual rate of movement will drop off in the last few weeks, despite that powerful drop-kick they’ve been working on. Hey, did you know you’ll continue feeling their movements even during labor? Amniotic fluid is at its highest ...