33 week update

I just got back from another midwife appointment. I am still on track and the exciting thing is the baby is currently head down. (S)He could still be planning on a few more turns, but they do an internal exam around 36 weeks to confirm the position. If Maluski decides to turn and stay that way, then the game plan is to work with a chiropractor first (in a manuever that allows for a little more room in the pelvis), then the next effort would be the external version done in a hospital. The midwife said they have about a 60% success rate in turning the baby successfully with those efforts. Sadly, because of the threat of litigation, neither the midwife nor local doctors will do a breach delivery. What that means is - please send up prayers that Maluski stays happily nestled where s(he) is right now!

While examining me, the midwife showed me how to feel for the head, rolled my fingers over the neck, and pointed out where the back is (right side) and said that I am likely to be getting kicked in the upper left side. I have just felt so many random movements (and we watch them now too) it has been hard to figure out exactly what is going on in there.

A fun side note to the baby, there is a new ob/gyn doctor who just moved to town to do her residency at Reading Hospital. She has gone through the program at Omaha and is trained to be a medical consultant for NaPro Technology. We got together with her last night and hit it off! She is very cool and we have so many things in common. Her husband is still looking for a job to move to Reading - and it sounds like he and Paul will hit it off when he comes out too. I have been praying for a MC (Medical Consultant) to come to the area, so she is an answer to prayers. AND, our meeting last night opened up an opportunity to tell my midwife about this extra training of hers (and what I do on the side). It is exciting and I have been trying to get that conversation started as well. So, if you get a chance, send up a few extra prayers that we can convert Reading to NaPro technology!! :)

Upcoming Updates:
Baby Shower scheduled for Monday
Birth Classes start next Thursday
Interviews with prospective Pediatricians
Baptism tentatively scheduled for Novemember

Sharing Pictures

Hopefully when the baby comes I will be much more efficient at sharing pictures!! Here are a few from our activities in the past month.

Paul's 30th Birthday Party and then July in Steubenville (a special spot where Paul proposed 5+ years ago)

Nursing in Public by Christopher West

As we contemplate the challenges that come with nursing a child, I just found this link to an awesome article by Christopher West about nursing. He is such a blessing to the Catholic church...I just thought I would share. :)

I also have some awesome experiences to share regarding the Steubenville youth conference. Since we are off to Steuby again tomorrow for 5 days, I will have to save those for another post when I return. Prayers for all our friends and family!!

Whenever I rest my arm on my belly...

...baby pushes it out of the way!! It seems like (s)he is always saying "move momma, i need this room!" The last two days I swear there is a "fight" going on in there. Heavens forbid I lean on/lay on my side/belly. It seems that wherever I rest, there is pushing against me! It cracks me up to imagine this little personality developing inside of me already! I have to say...that is not unlike something his momma would do. :)

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!!!!

We just recieved absolutely thrilling, astonishing, miraculous news that our dear friends Steve and Becky are WITH CHILD!!! Having walked the road of infertility, it is a path that you never want to see another person walk, especially someone close to you. As incredible as our pregnancy has been, it has been difficult longing for our friends to share this same experience. They have just recieved their "11th hour miracle" before more advanced NaPro treatment & surgery. We are so excited!!! Selfishly, of course, because now our baby will have a playmate!

Congratulations Steve and Becky!! Many prayers for a healthy, sticky baby! Praise God for NaPro miracles!

Hiccups!

I love them! Maluski has started hiccuping over the last couple days. Last night I was laughing as Paul was trying to sleep because my belly kept bouncing - bump, bump, bump! It is adorable and fun and ahhhh. Life!

AND, I just got a call from the Pope Paul VI Institute that my levels have jumped again (finally) and now - no more shots!! Wohooo! Hopefully my blood draw next week will confirm that my body has taken over and is sufficiently producing progesterone to support the baby on it's own.

Fathers Day

Some say I am a father and some say next year I'll be a father, I personally fall into the former crew. So today i got a few cards and an awesome meal - the perfect fathers day for me. I wonder what next year will be like when we actually have a babe in arms. Not every one get the privilege of having a fathers day but this was my first and i think i can get used to it.With only 3 months left to prepare it is the final scramble to make sure our loose ends are tied up and our home is ready for our child and there is still a lot to do.

Two Posts in One Day!!

I just wanted to share pictures from my Florida baby shower and say THANK YOU again to everyone who hosted, planned (Linda), prepared (JulieAnne), and attended, etc. I had so much fun!

Opening BumGenius cloth diapers from my mom....wohooo!

JulieAnne measuring my girth

Cutting the lovely Noah's Arc cake from Linda


Entertaining William while the ladies play a game (party host, Linda on top right)

William, Elizabeth, Christy & Matthew

Camping while Pregnant...

In 3 words: FUN but HOT!
We spent a lovely Memorial Day weekend with Steve and Becky at Caledonia State Park (near Gettysburg). For the first time I realized that pregnant women really do run hot. Luckily, the nights were plenty cool. Which would have been great for sleeping, if only our air mattress would have remained inflated. AND, oh the joys of waking up at 4am in the wilderness with a "full" bladder. :) We LOVE our Maluski. And Maluski loves 'smores! Aunt Becky kept us plenty stocked. Due to her generosity, the K's were able to feel a little kicking action around the campfire.

And, the good news is...Maluski has godparents! We are so excited they accepted the challenge ahead. Paul and I are so grateful for their faith and prayers in our life, we know they will be fantastic role models for the baby!

Here is the latest growth and development update:
Your baby weighs about 1.5 pounds and measures 8.8 inches from crown to rump (or about 13.5 inches from head to heel). He or she is becoming stronger as its stem cells continue to develop into bone tissue, and its bones become solid through a process called ossification.

Speaking of the baby....

My First Mother's Day!

Sunday was the first Mothers day that I did not approach with fear and trepidation. Mother's day homilies were inevitably a source of grief and tears in the past. This is the first year I survived. I not only survived the day, but was actually a little spoiled. It started out with breakfast in bed, I received a plant from our neighbor, a gift from a friend - a few cards and phone calls. Weird!! But again, amazing, miraculous, etc. Thanks for all who helped me celebrate the day with your kind words. Again, it is yet another day that reminds me to pray for my friends that are still suffering the cross of infertility.

This week is Week 23! I think we are just at the very early early stages of viability. From the updates I read - our baby is almost 1 pound and 8 inches crown to rump (11" head to toe). He or she blinks, hears, swallows. And (s)he definitely kicks! The kicks are stronger. Paul has felt maluski a few times. As I am growing and expanding, I feel the weight I carry. The wonderful weight. Eating is a little harder again because I always feel full. Rolling over in bed - amusing. Bending over, well - I squat. And I believe I am waddling a little more than before. :) It is a very joyous time!

Sorry for the long time no-updates. Our next midwife appointment is Wednesday. We will keep you posted! xoxoxox Elisabeth & Paul

Half Way There!!

This week marks 20 weeks. I am halfway there!! It is amazing. AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING! My old clothes don't fit, I have almost officially transfered to maternity garb, the ultrasounds and dopler radios show there is life within me. I feel this little life within me - just about every day now...and I still CAN NOT believe I am pregnant. Thank you God. "Lord I believe, help my unbelief."

It is so crazy to think that in a few more months, our lives will never be the same! I am so incredibly thrilled for what is to come. Paul continues to talk to and sing to the baby, in addition to listening to his/her heartbeat every night before bed. Pretty soon he should be able to feel some kicks (they are getting stronger). We are so blessed.

Being not too far out from the sting and pain of infertility, I ask anyone checking in...please join me to pray for those that now carry this heavy cross. St. Gianna, St. Gerard, St. Ann, St. Rita, St. Collete - please intercede for these couples and plead for them before our Lord. Amen.

Meet Our Baby!!

Here is the picture from this morning's appointment.

Quick Update

Updated Belly Shot. 18 weeks.
Tonight we heard the baby's heartbeat. Mom and Paul were with me - it was thrilling. We recorded the heartbeat and have been playing it over and over again since the appointment. All is well, I am growing according to schedule. We got an update from the Institute that my hormone levels are recovering (thank you for your prayers). And, as of the last week or two, I am feeling the baby move - I love the little flutters and kicks. This is so miraculous. We should have updated baby pictures after tomorrow. Stay Tuned!

Is it the baby or just digestion?

(contributed by Paul)
We have now reached week 16 and everyone says this is when you may start feeling the baby. So night after night we are trying to feel if he or she is communicating with us by tapping. It is amazing what you notice when you are silent and just listen or feel. We haven't made first contact yet . Although Elisabeth thought she had felt the baby moving and then again and again and again and again and again and then she asked is there a pulse in your fingers ? Needless to say the baby is still masked to us except by Elisabeth's growing belly.

The Lord has brought much joy to us through this little one. We are greatful for that gift of being able to start a family. Only 5 months to go hard to believe we are almost half way to our first face to face meeting . Kinda makes you excited!

PS: (prayer request from Elisabeth)
Last week we got word from the Institute that my progesterone took a nose dive. From something like 44.8 to 23.6. They were not TOO terribly concerned, but my progesterone shots are increasing substantially. Prayers are greatly appreciated that God will protect our maluski (little one).

Second Trimester!!!!!

So I hit the 2nd trimester on Wed. My anytime sickness seems worse the last two weeks. I was disappointed at my first sickness of the 2nd trimester and thought..."liars." The infamous "they" said you feel better...but NOW i find out it it not necessarily on the same day you hit #2. Now "they" say it may be another week or two, or three. Oh well - being pregnant is just wonderful, so I don't mind. :)

BUT the awesome news - is that my progesterone levels are doing great!! If anyone knows anyone about hormone levels, or would like to compare to this chart from the PPVI...
Here is my synopsis:

1/10/2007				~ 20 DPO			39 Days Past LMP
				4w6d			HCG	10,414
				4w6d			Progesterone	26.3
1/22/2007				6w3d			Progesterone	26.3
2/5/2007				8w5d			Progesterone	27.4
2/21/2007				11 weeks			Progesterone	50?
3/6/2007				12w6d			Progesterone	44.8

We got a call from the institute that my levels were so great (high zone 3) that means my shots go from 200 ml twice a week to 100 ml once a week! Wohooo! Which is very nice since the shots have become more annoying as time goes on. They will let me know after two more levels (~1mo.) if I can discontinue.

As I have said before, I am amazed every step of the way that I get good news. I say in my head "are you sure?" "I am doing that good?" "There is REALLY a baby in there?" :)

The Heart is Beating Strong!

12 Week Update:
okay, well really 11 weeks and 5 days...but close enough!

Today I had an appointment at the Birth Center for my first official check up. The best part, I got to hear the baby's heart beat!!! After a long appoinntment of paperwork and reviewing history and turning down all the genetic screening options (anmio, etc)...I finally got to sit on the table. The midwive put some jelly on my belly and within 30 seconds "woah, woah, woah, woah." She commented that the baby was very active because we kept hearing scratching noises. She said he or she was moving around. :) This all still seems totally unreal.

Unfortuantely, Paul was not able to attend. But I made sure to schedule the next appointment so he could. I need another person there to help remind me - this is real! Next appointment will be around 18 weeks, along with a level 2 ultrasound at that time. Every step is like a giant milestone. I am so blessed to not have ANY spotting or cramping. So far, all is good! Hopefully I can have Paul log an entry on our Birth Center tour soon. Thank you for all the prayers - they are clearly working and resulting in what I can say is a very easy pregnancy thus far! Again, MIRACLE!

And now, for those that wish to see my growth updates...here is the first Belly Shot:

Baby Update

Every Week I get an email update - which among other things, tells us about the baby. Thought I would share it with you. Check out the picture! It is really exciting.

Your Baby
Your baby weighs about 7 grams, is about 2 inches long, and in an ultrasound will look a bit out of proportion. He or she has toes, eyes, ears, fingernails and lips, but the head is still about one-half the total size of its body. Don't worry; this will change as your baby grows. Click here for an image of a baby at 11 weeks.

Everything looks good! I am starting to grow, just a little. My hormone levels have consistently been right around the "normal" line and as of today I am only one week from my SECOND trimester! :)

And - Paul and I toured the Birth Center yesterday. It is kind of crazy imagining giving birth outside of the hospital...but the idea is growing on us!!

adoption on hold

Paul and I told the agency. Their policy is that we go on hold until we have the baby. At that point we are no longer eligible for the infant adoption program. We would be eligible to continue towards a mixed race adoption, enter the foster program or pursue international adoption. We feel strongly that God has lead us to the adoption process. After the baby arrives we will pray about what direction God leads us.

Just a Quick Update

Things are still good! We praise every day we are one step closer to 2nd trimester (and a little more clear of risk of miscarriage). Every day is a blessing. The all-the-time sickness comes and goes, as does exhaustion - but what a gift. Today I hit 9 weeks and was amazed to see the little ticker (see two posts below). Our Maluski looks like a tiny person and no longer a tiny tadpole. We are so in love! Girl or Boy? You will have to wait till September to know that! ;-)

Our Miracle is doing good!