Dear Baby--19 & 20 Weeks

I'm so thankful to have this blog as a way to connect with others. Sharing our journey with so many people who love us, our baby and keep us all in continual positive thoughts and prayers means more than words can ever articulate. Some of you have been following along with this blog from the beginning, almost four years ago when a heartbroken mom didn't know what else to do other than write. I'm so thankful that our beautiful baby is making me a mom again. We are 20 weeks today. I am in awe of each milestone we hit and I do not take one minute for granted. It's a miracle in the making. I have some prayer requests today, and if you would please lift us up with these prayers, we would appreciate it so much.

Prayer Requests:
*There was a note on a report from the 18 week ultrasound that placental calcification was present. A quick internet search scared me, so I stopped. Basically, placental calcification occurs when the placenta is aging. Finding this halfway through the pregnancy may indicate that it's aging prematurely. Our doctors are very thorough, and I'm thankful for that. Since it was noted on the report, and not pointed out to us otherwise, we are hoping and praying that it was only a tiny spot of calcification, and that it wasn't severe. We will hear from the doctor by the morning to know in more detail about what was found.
Please Pray:
That there is hardly any placental calcification.
That if there is, it will not progress or it will progress very slowly.
That our baby will continue to gain all oxygen and nutrients from A's placenta.
That our baby will not be in danger at any time, that the doctors will closely monitor A, our baby's movement and development.
That our baby will continue to grow and measure on track, by all parameters measured.
That God will keep our baby safe and that we will meet, bring home  and raise, our live, healthy baby.

Thank you. All we can do is trust, stay hopeful and pray. Please trust, stay hopeful and pray with us. Love you all.

"With God, all things are possible."

Where there is hope there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles. happen.

Dear Baby,

Hey, Darlin'. At 19 weeks you are the size of an heirloom tomato. Goodness, I love heirloom tomatoes. Anyhow, this week your brain is designating areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch. Your kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on your scalp is sprouting! I wonder what color it will be. You are also developing regular sleep and awake patterns in the womb.

We heard this week that the placenta is no longer low lying! Great news. You are measuring right on track, baby G, and your heart rate was 140 bpm.

A is at the clinic still, and will likely stay for a while now. We're just so thankful for the doctors and team who care for you so much! It takes a village, my dear, and you are loved so so much.

Here's a little about what mommy and daddy have been up to this week:

First, I can't stay off Zulily. It's all too cute. Daddy was out of town this week and I sent him this message:

                                                               #cantstopwontstop


We have been spending LOTS of time in Central Park! Probably my favorite thing about living in NYC is living close to this beautiful park. I love walking through it every season, but this spring feels especially lovely in the park. Your big sisters (dog sisters, that is) l-o-v-e it.

 

 

 

first pair of booties from Nana

We watched the Kentucky Derby with our friends Lindsey and Misha and I made April's chicken and waffles appetizer before we left.

My little love bug, we are so proud of you. Keep growing big and strong and know that we all pray for you non-stop. You are our miracle and we love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

Mommy and Daddy

 

Dear Baby,

 

You are 20 WEEKS! Ohh Ohh, half way there... OHHH OHHH! Living on a prayer! Sweet baby, this week you are the size of a banana, or a small cantaloupe, depending on who you ask. :) You weigh as much as a coconut!

 

You're swallowing more, which is good practice for your digestive system. You're also producing meconium. Your eyes, which have been sealed shut for weeks, may open this week. Or, they may stay shut for a bit longer. Your skin is covered and protected by a waxy coating called vernex caseos. Your hair, eyebrows and nails continue to sprout! At this point in the pregnancy it is very clear whether you are a sweet boy or girl, but we aren't finding out so we won't know for a while! For the record, I completely think you're a boy this week. I'm all over the map!

 

Mommy is feeling some nerves this week because I spotted a few words on the ultrasound report about placental calcification. I ran to google which is a BAD IDEA! Anyhow, you just need to know that you have a huge village praying for you, sweetheart, and that you're going to be fine. I trust in God that He is taking care of you and A and that He will usher you safely into our arms when the time is right. I pray that you stay inside of A for as long as possible and that you get all of the oxygen and nutrients you need to grow big and strong. So far, you've been doing just that. You keep it up, okay? We're so proud of you.

 

You're our miracle and we love you, we love you, we love you so, dear baby.

 

Mommy and Daddy

Dear Baby--17 & 18 Weeks

Dear Baby,

Hey, sweetie! I decided to combine the last two week because, well, there's been a lot in each of them and I figured it would work just fine.

17 weeks: At 17 weeks, you were the size of an onion. Or, a pear. We are praising God because we got a beautiful report on your growth! You had a big scan last week at Your sense of hearing grew stronger and you can move all of your joints. Your skeleton is turning from rubbery cartilage to hardened bone.

At 17 weeks, Mama turned 30! Daddy took me down to Miami for a short getaway and your Mimi and Papi came along, too! It was a sweet way to celebrate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           

The actual day included a blowout for fun, sweet gifts and a nice dinner with Daddy. You, my love, are my greatest gift!

 

 

You are currently 18 weeks, 3 days and you are the size of a sweet potato! This is one of my favorite foods, as well, my sweet.

 

This week, you are yawning, hiccupping, sucking and swallowing. You're also twisting, rolling, punching and kicking. We're so thankful for a great report at your appointment. You are growing and developing beautifully. We did find out that the placenta is low lying and you are currently a  breech baby. To allow A to have complete rest and not do anything too strenuous, the doctors did admit her to the clinic. We feel sad that she has to spend more time away from her kids, but are beyond thankful for her sacrifices and wonderful care she's taking of you. The doctors say everything is fine, so this is just a precaution to avoid previa from developing and allow A to rest. I read that lots of times, the placenta (or shape of the uterus) moves and it's no longer low lying.
Please pray that baby stays safe and gets what he/she needs at all times!

 

As I mentioned, we had some technical difficulties with seeing your pictures! There was a dvd, but to make a long story short, it took us all week to view it! Our computer wasn't opening it and eventually our solution was to view it through  a program that let us see the perspective from the computer in India. Sound complicated? Exactly. Anyhow, we did get to see the video and like professionals, we taped it. Then, I took screen shots. You do what you've got to do. The pictures are not the best quality but my goodness, you're growing, baby!

 

Here's you at 17 weeks, baby love!

 

Oh how you've grown! The picture on the left was a screen shot of a moving ultrasound video, so I realize it's not the best quality, however, it's amazing to see! You are amazing.

 

 

So sweet with your hand in your mouth. We kept seeing you do it on the screen. You're saying, hey guys!

 

I woke up this morning from a vivid dream. In that dream, it was the night you were born. We were in India, and our doctors handed you to me, and I sobbed my eyes out. My parents were there along with your daddy, of course. In my dream, you are a sweet baby girl. So, for the past little bit that is how you've been appearing in my mind, as a baby girl. Daddy tends to think you are a boy, and I also have gone back and forth. Here's the most important thing: We love you more than words and feelings could ever possibly express. We are so thankful for you and whether you are a baby boy or a baby girl, we are absolutely overjoyed to meet you (and raise you and pour our hearts and soul into you). We pray for you to be healthy and know that you are our baby, perfectly chosen for us.

Keep growing big and strong, sweet love. You're doing such an amazing job and we are so proud of you!!

We love you so, Dear Baby.

Mommy and Daddy

 

Dear Baby --16 Weeks

Making it to 16 weeks is huge. For those who may not know, this is around the time where we lost the twins. I hate typing the words but it's important to do so because it happened, I want to acknowledge that, and recognize that it doesn't mean it will happen again. It's the place from which my fear and anxiety grow, and the place in my heart that will never truly heal. I mentioned last week that I've experienced profound peace. I am still overall peaceful, though this week waves of {understandable} nerves occurred while we wait for this week's appointment. I know that making it past this point in the pregnancy will bring on newer, positive experiences that I can pull from my heart and mind. Could you please keep us in your prayers this week? Please pray for wonderful news and a healthy baby. It means more to me than words can possibly express! Thank you so so much!

 

Dear Baby,

Hey, little love. You are 16 weeks, 6 days today, and you are the size of an avocado. Side note, this is one of my absolute favorite foods, and I guacamole is something I could eat probably daily. Okay, back to you! You're doing big things this week. Your circulatory system is working and your heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood a day. Your scalp pattern is starting to develop, though no hair just yet! You are also growing toenails, which is so so sweet. A layer of fat has formed underneath your skin, and you'll go through a growth spurt over the next few weeks!

You and I received the sweetest package from my sweet friend/teacher/prayer warrior this week. She has been lifting us up in prayer from the beginning and continues to do so, which means so much.

 

How sweet are those little elephants? They will all go in your room and we'll think of her loving family each time we see them. Thank you, sweet Lisa!

 

This week we are waiting on your big anatomy scan. I know you'll do great! We pray for you to be healthy and safe, always. Daddy is as cool as a cucumber and I have been generally pretty calm, too, which is a blessing. We look forward to getting a look at you this week and seeing how much you've grown!

 

We know your angels in Heaven are watching over you, and we are so thankful for that fact. You are such a blessing to us and I hope and pray you feel our love 7,000+ miles away. I think you do. I think you are cool as a cucumber just like your daddy and happy and comfortable while you grow and thrive with A.

 

You keep growing big and strong, darling. We are so proud of and thankful for you!

 

 We love you so, dear baby.

 

Mommy and Daddy

 

Dear Baby--15 Weeks

Dear Baby,

You are 15 Weeks, 6 Days. I suppose mommy should post your weekly letter at the beginning of a new week and not the end, but here we are. You're 16 weeks tomorrow and we are thrilled. This week, you're the size of an apple. Or, an orange, depending on who you ask. :) Either way, you're growing and growing and will double in size over the coming weeks.

You can sense light now and your taste buds are forming. We wonder what type of food you like these days, and if it will stay that way later on in life! You are moving fluid through your nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the air sacs in your lungs develop. Your eyebrows are also starting to develop.

This week, Daddy and I went to see a Broadway show and walked around New York. There's so much we can't wait to show you! On Easter, we went to church and then to a nice brunch. We talked about next Easter and having you with us to celebrate it (and every other day and holiday). It just makes my mommy heart swell.

 I have also been experiencing a profound peace on my heart, of which I am truly thankful. I can't describe it other than I know where it's coming from, and that's above. Having a peaceful heart that isn't filled with anxiety and fear is such a blessing. I am thankful to be experiencing it right now.

 I thank God for you, little darling. You are our greatest gift. Keep growing big and strong, my love. We are so proud of you, sweet babe.

We love you so, dear baby.

Mommy and Daddy