How your baby’s growing:

It’s hard to say for sure how big your baby will be, but the average newborn weighs about 7 1/2 pounds (a small pumpkin) and is about 20 inches long. His skull bones are not yet fused, which allows them to overlap a bit if it’s a snug fit through the birth canal during labor. This so-called “molding” is the reason your baby’s noggin may look a little conehead-ish after birth. Rest assured — it’s normal and temporary.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

After months of anticipation, your due date rolls around, and… you’re still pregnant. It’s a frustrating, but common, situation in which to find yourself. You may not be as late as you think, especially if you’re relying solely on a due date calculated from the day of your last period because sometimes women ovulate later than expected. Even with reliable dating, some women have prolonged pregnancies for no apparent reason.

You still have a couple of weeks before you’ll be considered “post-term.” But to be sure your baby is still thriving, your practitioner will schedule you for testing to keep an eye on her if your pregnancy continues.

You may have a biophysical profile (BPP), which consists of an ultrasound to look at your baby’s overall movements, breathing movements (movement of her chest muscles and diaphragm), and muscle tone (whether she opens and closes her hand or extends and then flexes her limbs), as well as the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds her (important because it’s a reflection of how well the placenta is supporting your baby).

Fetal heart rate monitoring (called a nonstress test or NST) will generally be done as well — by itself or as part of the BPP. Or, you may have what’s known as a modified BPP, which consists of an NST and an ultrasound to assess the amount of amniotic fluid.

If the fetal testing isn’t reassuring — the amniotic fluid level is too low, for example — you’ll be induced. If there’s a serious, urgent problem, you may have an immediate c-section.

Your practitioner will also check your cervix to see if it’s “ripening.” Its position, how soft it is, how effaced (thinned out) it is, and how dilated (open) it is can all affect when and how your labor is induced. If you don’t go into labor on your own, you’ll be induced, usually sometime between 41 and 42 weeks.

(from babycenter.com)

My four year old has not been feeling well and has been on my mind! This week is dedicated to him.

(remember, all Thursday Treasures are on sale and you can click on an image to be directed to the item/etsy shop.)

Robot Wall Plaque

Fall Diamonds Belt

Race Car Lounge Set

Block Printed T-Shirt

Blast Off Rocket Growth Chart

Crayon Holder Traffic Jam

Mini British Flashcard Long Sleeve Shirt

Boy Ties

I felt God challenging me this morning. I wasn’t sure to what, but it definitely felt like something.

I have been through a lot in the last couple of years. Many trials, lots of sickness. Hurting family members.

Through it all I have done my best to stay strong. My family needs me! I think God gave women a little extra bit of something to help her hold her family together in the hard times. Not to say it was always me! My husband has been there time and time again to support me. I am so thankful that God put us together to support each other in the good and bad.

Last night Andrew and I were talking. Axel is not feeling well and I got angry! Axel has had so many weird and uncommon ailments. My heart is breaking for him time and time again.

As our conversation went on I realized as I always do that God has some big things in store for my little boy. It is almost encouraging to see the devil come against him so often.  Andrew was praying once for Axel that he would never have to endure any more hurt or pain. But then the thought occurred to him…. What kind of person would he be if he never had to experience anything tough? Axel is one of the most gentle, tenderhearted people I have ever known.  He is a light to all who know him, and he is only four!

I spent a good long time in prayer last night and my prayers for my son turned to prayers for myself. That I would have peace, wisdom and strength. I want to be the best mom, the best wife, the best woman that I can be! I have failed so many times in all those categories and I felt the need to step up and into the next level.

This morning as I continued in thought and prayer I felt God challenging me to something but was not sure what. I opened my Bible and found myself in 2 Peter. “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2)

I have made the choice to bloom and grow throughout my life! This is my challenge. Not just in the knowledge of God, but in all areas. I want to continue to learn and try new things. To be adventurous in life and love. To be someone who is fun and that people want to be around.

Thanks God for the reminder!

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby’s waiting to greet the world! He continues to build a layer of fat to help control his body temperature after birth, but it’s likely he already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. (Boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls.) The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

At each of your now-weekly visits, your caregiver will do an abdominal exam to check your baby’s growth and position. She might also do an internal exam to see whether your cervix has started ripening: softening, effacing (thinning out), and dilating (opening). But even armed with this information, there’s still no way for your caregiver to predict exactly when your baby is coming. If you go past your due date, your caregiver will schedule you for fetal testing (usually a sonogram) after 40 weeks to ensure that it’s safe to continue the pregnancy. If you don’t go into labor on your own, most practitioners will induce labor when you’re between one and two weeks overdue — or sooner if there’s an indication that the risk of waiting is greater than the risks of delivering your baby without further delay.

While you’re waiting, it’s important to continue to pay attention to your baby’s movements and let your caregiver know right away if they seem to decrease. Your baby should remain active right up to delivery, and a noticeable slowdown in activity could be a sign of a problem. Also call if you think your water may have broken. Membranes rupture before the beginning of labor in about 8 percent of term pregnancies. Sometimes there’s a big gush of fluid, but sometimes there’s only a small gush or a slow leak. (Don’t try to make the diagnosis yourself. Call even if you only suspect you have a leak.) If you rupture your membranes and don’t start contractions on your own, you’ll be induced.

(from babycenter.com)

The other day during an episode of Heroes I decided to work on some new hairbows. Miracle needed a few new ones and I figured since I was in the mood I would make a few to sell at the Oakwood Bazaar as well.

click to link to this in my etsy shop!

After I made them I was trying to brainstorm ways to display them at my table. I have been meaning to make Miracle a tutu bow holder for a while now and figured I could make it for my display and then she can use it when I’m done. Yeah! Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to hang it at my table.

Tutu Hairbow Holder

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she’s over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you’ll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Wondering what color your baby’s eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If she’s born with brown eyes, they’ll likely stay brown. If she’s born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she’s 9 months old. That’s because a child’s irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she’s born, but they usually won’t get “lighter” or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

For many women, the next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby’s nursery or to take care of necessary tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby’s born. Take naps, catch up on your reading, and spend uninterrupted time with your partner while you can.

Some swelling in your feet and ankles is normal during these last weeks, but call your practitioner without delay if you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

How your baby’s growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don’t be surprised if your baby’s hair isn’t the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

Braxton Hicks contractions may be coming more frequently now and may last longer and be more uncomfortable. You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge. If you see some “bloody show” (mucus tinged with a tiny amount of blood) in the toilet or in your undies, labor is probably a few days away — or less. (If you have heavier spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.) Also be sure to ask your caregiver about the results of your Group B strep culture. That way, if the result isn’t yet on your chart when you get to the hospital or birth center, you’ll be able to give the staff there a timely heads-up if you need antibiotics.

It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. If you can, take it easy through the day — this may be your last chance to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby’s movements, too, and let your caregiver know immediately if you notice a decrease. Though her quarters are getting cozy, she should still be as active as before.

While you’re sleeping, you’re likely to have some intense dreams. Anxiety both about labor and about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange flights of unconscious fancy.

(from babycenter.com)

It is October 1st! Time to start thinking about Halloween Costumes. Whether or not you ‘believe’ in the holiday, it is still fun to dress up!

(remember, all Thursday Treasures are on sale and you can click on an image to be directed to the item/etsy shop.)

neo victorian steam punk lolita style hat with locks

Greenman Leather Mask

Scary and Boo...Just for Fun ID Tag Halloween Earrings...

Pea Pod Costume

Halloween Trick or Treat Bag

Spooky Pumpkin Baby Halloweeny Shoes/ Slippers

Green Tink Fairie Princess Costume

Copper Fall Fairy Costume

Silly Vampire Bat

Custom Bunny Girl Tutu

Green and Pink Butterfly Winged Baby Longsleeve Bunting

About a month ago I started nesting in a big way. I stayed up cleaning and shampooing carpets. I did laundry, prepared the baby’s room and organized this and that.

Then I lost it.

I had no desire to clean let alone super clean! I have been tired and worn out. This pregnancy has been a little rough on me. I haven’t been feeling very well and have a serious lack of energy.

The last few days though I have been nesting in a strange way. I must have food on the brain or something. Andrew and I went to Let’s Dish Tuesday and prepared nine meals for when the baby comes. Then Thursday when I went grocery shopping I bought a ton of snack foods.

Ground beef was on sale and so to the massive amount of food already in my freezer I added four 1 pound bags of cooked ground beef and two prepared meatloaves.

I’m starting to feel a little crazy. While I was making the meatloaf (at eight o’ clock yesterday morning) I decided we would want some sweets and that I should freeze some cookie dough too. But alas, I forgot to buy chocolate chips.

How your baby’s growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She’s shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely she’s in a head-down position. But if she isn’t, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an “external cephalic version,” which is a fancy way of saying she’ll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

See what your baby looks like this week. (Or see what fraternal twins look like in the womb this week.)

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby’s development.

How your life’s changing:

Now that your baby is taking up so much room, you may have trouble eating a normal-size meal. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to “drop” down into your pelvis. This process — called lightening — often happens a few weeks before labor if this is your first baby. (If you’ve given birth before, it probably won’t happen before labor starts.) If your baby drops, you may also feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, which may make walking increasingly uncomfortable, and you’ll probably find that you have to pee even more frequently. If your baby is very low, you may feel lots of vaginal pressure and discomfort as well. Some women say it feels as though they’re carrying a bowling ball between their legs!

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are more frequent now. Be sure to review the signs of labor with your practitioner and find out when she wants to hear from you. As a general rule, if you’re full-term, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and your water hasn’t broken, she’ll probably have you wait to come in until you’ve been having contractions that last for about a minute each, coming every five minutes for an hour. Of course, you’ll want to call right away if you notice a decrease in your baby’s activity or think you’re leaking amniotic fluid, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, a severe or persistent headache, constant abdominal pain, or vision changes.

Even if you’re enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it’s best to avoid flying (or any travel far from home) during your final month because you can go into labor at any time. In fact, some airlines won’t let women on board who are due to deliver within 30 days of the flight.