1/22/2009 5:00:00 PM - 002018417111
It's crazy, I look at those pregnancy pictures and I sort of remember but not really what it felt like. Which is probably good. I'm sure it will get that way with labor but I still remember not liking it. I still remember that moment of feeling another contraction begin and wanting to just pass out. Can you tell I am ready to wait a bit before we try for another one :)
As of today Rina is 12 weeks old! How fast has it gone!!!! She looks so old to me, and so big. I just love her :) For two days she gave me a wonderful gift- she actually slept until 7:45/8ish before she woke up to eat. It was so nice! I woke up several times wondering why she hadn't woken up, was she still breathing.... but it felt so good to turn back over and fall asleep each time :) Alas the last two mornings she's gone back to her normal routine of getting up about 5-5:30 to eat. Still not bad I know.
1/15/2009 5:06:22 PM - 002018417111
All the books are wonderful but I wish they would STRESS just a little bit more that - you will NEVER figure your child out :) So just stop trying. For almost 8 full weeks Rina ate 6x a day. No more, no less. She would spread it out throughout the day. Well as of this past week she has been starting to eat 5x a day sometimes 6x and a snack, sometimes 5x and a snack. She use to eat basically every 3 hours. Now, she'll go anywhere from 2-5 hours in between eating. She use to eat 12 minutes on both sides so a total of 24 minutes and would cry only if she took herself off before she was done. Now, she can eat 10 minutes total and be done, or 15 or 18 or go 24 again. Who knows! And now she can cry when she's done as well and I continue trying to feed her bc I didn't realize 8 minutes worth was all she wanted to eat at this point.
I know, I know, I just need to relax and go with the flow. Easier said than done!!!
1/5/2009 4:32:55 PM - 002018417111
Well, we had a wonderful Christmas! I look forward to next year, though, when Rina will be a bit more involved :)
Rina had her 2 month check a few days ago. She is now 23 and 3/4 in length and 11lbs 10oz. She is around the 60-65th percentile in weight and 90-95th percentile in length! Yes, my daughter is long :) Apparently I have rich milk.
She is definitely smiling at us. It is so much fun to see that little grin pop up on her face. The best time to get her smiling is right after she's eaten and been changed. Then she smiles a lot and easily. Go figure :) She's also quite active at times. Not always but there are many moments when her whole body is just moving like crazy as she looks around, and even at times while she's nursing. She is so much fun!
There are new two month pictures up thanks to Dr. Lang!
12/16/2008 3:06:56 PM - 002018417111
Rina is almost 7 weeks old! I can hardly believe how much she has grown in that time and yet how little she still looks :) Yesterday for the first time she was really content to lay on her little mat and just look at everything and coo. It was so cute watching and listening to her.
Last night she slept from 11:30-5am. It was wonderful! I hope this is a new pattern we're going to continue for a long long time :)
She still hasn't really smiled at me yet, I don't think :( But she has smiled so I might just be picky. She's following things with her eyes and able to hold onto things with her hands. At least she's held onto my fingers numerous times by now. She's a bit more awake these days. She still sleeps a lot but she can be awake for 1-2 hours after a few feedings during the day. Oh, and she has always only eaten about 6 times a day. I feel incredibly blessed by that one. I already feel like she eats a lot, I can't imagine how I'd feel if she ate more!
12/9/2008 12:59:35 PM - 002018417111
Am I the only one that constantly feels like I'm waiting and not content. First I was waiting to get pregnant and then I could relax. Then I was waiting to feel Rina in the womb and then I could be content knowing she was ok. Then I was waiting for her to be born so I could actually see her and know she was ok. Now I'm waiting for her to smile at me then I can just enjoy the days.... Constantly waiting and never content. How sad. If I'm not careful I will wait my life away always looking to that next step. "Lord, may I realize my only hope for true contedness is found in You regardless of my circumstances or situations."
Well, yesterday I dealt with TWO plugged milk ducts. One on each side and one at morning and one at night. I had a fever from the second one (102 degrees) early this morning but I am feeling soooo much better now! Thank You Lord. I do not want to go through that again. Not fun!
12/2/2008 3:28:53 PM - 002018417111
Well, it's hard to believe Rina is already 4 weeks old, almost 5 weeks now. The time has flown by. It seems like she's always been a part of the family :)
At her Dr's appt yesterday Rina had gained 2 lbs in 3 weeks!!! She weighs 8.13 and is now 22 ins long. 50th percentile for weight and 75th for height. Apparently we have no problems with the nursing now :)
Rina will take the pacifier better these days, although she still likes to make a really cute disgusted face when I first try to give it to her. She still goes about 3-4 hours in between feedings which is really nice. Boy can the girl poop, though! Yesterday I think I changed her diaper at least 10 if not 12 times.
Oh and then yesterday there were the two times I accidentally let her pee on her outfit so we had to change her and then she threw up on both her and myself so I had to change her again. Whoops :)
11/25/2008 4:40:43 PM - 002018417111
Well, slowly but surely we are settling into a bit of a routine. Although everytime I think I know what she's going to do with feedings and sleeping she changes it a bit on me :) At this point Rina likes to eat every 3-4 hours which is nice. And she usually gives me one 3-4 hour stretch at night where I can sleep that whole time. Yeah! Otherwise it's 2-3 hours of sleep for me at night before she wakes up again. For a nursing baby I am told that's amazing.
It's fun to watch her become a bit more aware of her surroundings every day. She loves to look at lights. But we have gotten her to follow a rattle and a few books that are brightly colored. The pacifier isn't her favorite thing yet but I am not becoming a human pacifier so she will have to get use to it. I wish I could get a picture of the face she makes everytime I first stick it in her mouth. She gets this very disgusted look like "ew what is this?!?!" It is soooo cute!
11/18/2008 3:45:27 PM - 002018417111
Believe me, I know now that Rina's born it's the pictures you want not my comments :) Sorry, just trust me when I say she's still stinkin' cute! and she still sleeps a lot although she is waking up a little bit more each day.
Her sleeping and eating pattern can change daily. She usually eats every 3-4 hours which is really nice, especially at night. This may change but I'm thankful that she doesn't wake me up every 2 hours right now. I use to have to cut her off after 40 minutes of eating but the last few feedings she's fallen asleep after 25-35 minutes so we'll see if that continues.
Last night we took Rina to her first trip to Meijer. She did really well. Just sat in the carseat and looked around. She didn't fuss until we put her back in the car to go home.
I'm doing well, feeling so much better I almost feel normal again - except for being tired still. But that comes with the territory and she is soooooooooooooooo worth it. I just love her!
11/11/2008 7:57:09 PM - 002018417111
I can't believe Rina is already a week and a half! When I look back at her first pics she's already grown so much too it seems. I'm excited and sad. I look forward to seeing her grow up and getting to know her and her personality, but I love my "little one."
There are new pics up - 1 week old pics - much thanks to Dr. Lang they are adorable! I love the ones with her eyes open :)
As for life - we are learning what it's like to be parents. I am physically feeling much better - thank You Lord. Emotionally I hope I'm beginning to stabilize, at least for Bryan's sake :) But, man does life change. The days revolve around feedings and as for the nights, well, let's just the past two nights Rina has wanted to be awake more than asleep. Naps are a beautiful thing!
But, she is totally worth it. I just love her :)
11/3/2008 10:52:56 PM - 002018417111
And I thought my face was big when I was pregnant! My parents think my face and eyes puffed up so much bc I was pushing sooo hard for awhile.
Again, all I can say is thank you, Dr. Lang, the pictures are amazing! Wow. Thank you so much!
Well, Bryan and I went in Wednesday at 4pm. They started the "Cervidel" (SP?) at 5 to dilate me more and thin my cervix more. At 6am the next morning they started the Pitocin. To be honest both of those just made me feel like I was cramping. At 8:45am the Dr. broke my water and that's when things began to happen.
When my water was broken I was only 2cm. By 11am I was up to 3-4cm. By 12:30pm I was at a 5. By 1pm I was up to 6cm. By 2pm I was up to an 8. And at 2:30 I was finally at a 10 and they said "push" and I was so relieved! I pushed for about 40 minutes bc apparently my pelvis is slightly small so Rina kept getting caught on it. But, she finally did come out!!!!
I did take 1 dose of Stahdol (SP?) from 1-2 to help take the edge off the contractions as I was dilating from 6-8. And I did have to get an Episiotomy (SP?) as well but that was easy.
Bryan was WONDERFUL! I could not have made it without him and the nursing staff as amazing. Rina and I were taken care of so well. God was faithful.
10/28/2008 12:54:12 PM - 002018417111
Well, quite a bit has happened since I last updated so I will try to make everything brief. At my last week Dr's appt I had another ultrasound - the baby grew to 6 and 1/2 lbs! Thank You Lord. My fluid dropped again which isn't good but it's still enough to have a healthy labor and delivery - Thank You Lord.
Yesterday I had a Dr's appt again and wouldn't you know I am now only 1.5 cm dilated (darn!). They checked to see if I was leaking fluid (I wasn't sure) and thankfully I'm not but who knows where it's going to then. It looked like this little one was going to let Bry and I be in for a long haul but the Dr. has other plans. My Dr. is going to be out of town next week and bc of the past concerns and present uncertainties still - is the placenta and chord functioning properly or are they causing the small baby and low fluid? - he wants to be the one to deliver this child. And honestly, bc of our history with him I want him to deliver this child. So, this Wednesday at 4pm Bryan and I are going to the hospital to be induced.
Quite a surprise I will be honest, but if this is what it takes to make sure to the best of our ability this little one will be born healthy and strong then ok. So, Lord-willing, the next time I update this it will be about the labor, delivery, and baby. How crazy is that?!?!
Oh, for a boy's name - Micah Jon. Micah means "who is like the LORD" and Jon after Bryan and his dad. It's the only boy's name we could both agree on :)
10/21/2008 2:25:01 PM - 002018417111
Well, still no baby. I know, I know, trust me, I want this little one out more than anyone :) Although, after talking to my older sister about it, I am ok waiting a little longer. As she said - this could for some uknown reason be the last time I am pregnant so why not enjoy it instead of constantly looking towards the next phase. Which is true. That doesn't always work in the middle of the night when everything is really uncomfortable, but still, it's a good thought.
At my last Dr's appt I was still only 1 cm but my cervix was 'thinner' according to the Dr. Everything still looks healthy with the non-stress test, and my uteras actually continued to grow to 36 cms. Thank You Lord, but ok - I'm good no need to get bigger- I'm never satisfied :)
Otherwise, not much else is happening. Still having Braxton Hicks but nothing serious as far as I can tell. Bryan and my mom are both gone until Friday so I'm ok with that for now. Dr. Lang has assured me when the baby is born she will take pics of the Little one and put them up on the website that day for people to see. I am incredibly grateful for her willingness otherwise you all might be waiting awhile :)
10/14/2008 1:47:31 AM - 002018417111
Well, Bryan is back safe and sound from the True Woman Conference and yes, he actually enjoyed himself :) He learned a bit about being a 'true woman' as well. And yep, the little one waited - no scares while Bry was gone.
But, next Monday Bryan leaves again - this time just for Grand Rapids about 1.5 hrs away until Friday night/Saturday. So, again, I'm praying the little one waits until Bry gets back before deciding to enter the world. Although being less than two hours away does make the potential need for a quick drive back to Ludington easier. But after Bryan gets back, as far as I'm concerned, this little one can come ASAP!
At my last Dr's appt I had dilated to 1 cm! I know, I know, big deal actually but it is nice to know things are at least beginning since at times I panic and think "what if my body doesn't know how to go into labor and nothing happens!" Craziness I know. Either way, I am definitely getting ready emotionally and mentally and I'm hoping physically for the labor and delivery of our first child.
10/7/2008 12:10:08 PM - 002018417111
In case you couldn't tell there are new pictures up, including my ninth month picture. Counting down - woohoo! Praise the Lord.
Again, many thanks to Dr. Lang who has done an amazing job, is very creative and artistic.
My hubby is leaving me today. He has two trips in October (go figure) and thankfully the first is his farthest one. He drives to Chicago today for the True Woman Conference with Nancy Leigh DeMoss :) No, not to learn how to be a true woman :) His company does their website and as this conference is incredibly important to them there are a lot of website changes, including the sessions all being put on the web which Bryan is going to oversee and make sure happens. Anyways, he'll be back on Saturday. I told him that I would only call him for only one reason so he had better answer his phone!!!!
Oh, my Dr's appt last week - they did an ultrasound. My fluid was 11 so that was good, still low but safe, and the baby was, according to the Dr's best guess, 5 and 1/2 lbs. Praise the Lord!
10/1/2008 12:26:49 AM - 002018417111
We Are Ready! Well, as ready as we need to be :) On Monday I decided it was time to wash the baby's clothes and sheets and towels and put things somewhat in order. So, that evening while Bryan worked on putting the bassinet together my mom and I folded baby clothes and put them "away." That means in the hanging unit in the closet in the 'nursery.' BUT, at least the clothes are somewhere. And the bassinet is ready for the Little One too. We only need to put the car seat in the car and we'll be all set. Oh yeah, my mom and I also went through diapers and stuffed them into a bag based on size.
There's still washing of pacifiers, bottles, toys... a few more things to get (like a pump), but I am thankful to say if the baby were to be born today we'd be ready. I think :)
I have a Dr's appt tomorrow and they'll do an ultrasound to make sure the baby is growing. But if my growing shape is any indication - the little one is growing. Thank You Lord. :)
9/23/2008 1:37:26 AM - 002018417111
Be as nice as you want, believe me right now I really appreciate the compliments - BUT, I honestly do think my face has gotten bigger. Much Bigger. I personally always felt my face was slightly rounder and fuller anyways (ok, at times I called it a fat face) but now, I feel like it's even more puffy. Please someone tell me that's normal. Every woman's face puffs up when she is pregnant, right? It wouldn't surprise me though to learn it's just mine and could honestly be a bit from ALL the water I'm still drinking.
In other news my sleeping has definitely taken another turn for the worse (and I thought it couldn't get any worse). Last night God was incredibly gracious and faithful and I slept like I use to (use to being a week or two ago when I woke up but fell right back to sleep after the potty break). This past week it's like nothing feels comfy, ever. I think the baby and I are finally getting big enough to where 'honeymoons' over, how much longer until this child can be born safely????
9/16/2008 11:45:46 AM - 002018417111
Apparently I'm a tad anxious about the birth of my child and what exactly I'm having - but not in the way you would think. Sunday night I had a dream...
I was in the hospital and the baby just came out on its own. I looked down and there it was. But, it was a .... fawn!! I gave birth to a baby deer!!! I was shocked and horrified. I jumped up and carried my little 'baby' to the nurses station to tell them I had just given birth. They apparently were unfazed and told me they'd be with me shortly. As I walked back to my room I began to cry. Would my child/fawn even recognize me? Would I have to turn this little one loose in the wild? How did I even have a fawn to begin with? Did I come in contact with a deer when I was pregnant? Did I get a disease?????
Needless to say when I woke up at that point I was so relieved to realize I was still pregnant and no, it wasn't a deer :) After 5 ultrasounds I think someone would have picked up on it.
9/9/2008 12:05:15 AM - 002018417111
Again, thanks to everyone for your prayers and concerns. According to the OB specialist our baby is small but not in the danger zone and my fluid is a bit lower than average but nothing to worry about either. Phew, praise the Lord :)
So, I've decided, who needs sleep these days anyways. I don't know how other women fare, but my body definitely doesn't seem to need it since it's sooo difficult to stay asleep right now. I fall asleep rather quickly, well, that is if the Little one doesn't get the hiccups or decide to roll around for awhile. It's just so darn cute and difficult to sleep through :) I usually wake up about 1 hour later having to use the bathroom. Sometimes an hour or two after that having heartburn. Between midnight and four I'm usually ok with the bathroom but my body decides it needs to turn over several times during that time period. Never and easy task these days. Plus I wake up hot or a bit chilly depending on the night now. Then around 4 I start waking up to use the bathroom again and sometimes I'm just a tad hungry at the same time. Some nights the little one sleeps through all this, some nights I wake him/her up and then it's just playtime apparently :) I think God overwhelms you with love for your child simply to help you make it through all this...
Oh, the 8th month picture should be up soon along with the profile shot the tech took at the specialist office :)
9/2/2008 12:28:35 PM - 002018417111
Well, this last week has been interesting to say the least. I think I have drunk more water in these past two weeks than I ever did in 2 months. I have also had to use the restroom more in these past two weeks than probably I ever did in 2 months. BUT, knowing that all this could be keeping things somewhat on the 'normal' side for my little one and keeping me from having to be admitted definitely makes it worth it. Besides, who doesn't need to drink more water during the day (besides my two sisters who drink like fishes)
Still no news on the boy name side of things. I know, I know, Bryan and I really need to sit down and figure this out. Especially since there's an increase in the possibility that our little one could be coming early... I'll keep you posted.
Praise the Lord- a few more days the little one's been inside me and seems to be healthy still, if the movement is any indication :)
8/25/2008 11:54:53 PM - 002018417111
Ok, enough with the heartburn already! Maybe pizza wasn't the smartest thing to eat on Sunday but it has never been THAT bad before! Oh my word, every 2-3 hours yesterday and last night I needed to grab a TUMS or two. Yes, we bought the giganto size and I am almost 1/2 way through the container. Sheesh. They must make a killing on pregnant women :) I keep thinking drinking a lot of milk will help but it doesn't seem to, bummer, I love milk.
I've started trying to drink 8 glasses of water day. I have been able to the last 3 days and the kidneys are working overtime. I love going to the bathroom every 1/2 hour - and I'm not exaggerating.
Then there's the sleep issues. First I'm too hot bc of the body pillow, then I'm too cold bc I ripped all my covers off, turned the AC on high and put a fan directly on me. Not to mention the back aching in the middle of the night, the bladder needing to empty several times some nights and the heartburn that wakes you up at 2 and 4 and 6am.
THEN.... I feel the little one move and I think "this is so worth it. I am so grateful for this little life." :) God definitely knew what He was doing when He created women the way He did.
8/19/2008 12:52:45 AM - 002018417111
So, I was journaling today and just praying about how fearful at times I am in life, especially these days it seems like. I ended up asking God to not let me pass along fear to my little one. That started me thinking - what things don't I want to pass on and what things do I want to pass on. The list of personal habits I don't want to necessarily pass on are many - fear, laziness, procrastination, sloppiness.... to name a few. The habits I do want to pass on - excercise, eating somewhat healthy...
But most importantly I want this little one to know Jesus. I want this little one to know that he/she is loved by an amazing and faithful God. I want this little one to have such a hunger for God. How do I pass that on? By living it myself, by praying for it daily for me and the little one. My older sister is teaching her 3 and 1/2 year old memory verses already. And she knows quite a few. Sounds like a good idea to me. The word of God does not return void. I like that promise.
8/13/2008 12:34:00 PM - 002018417111
In case you couldn't tell there are new pictures up on the site. Again, much thanks to Dr. Lang, I really like the new pictures! My seventh month picture is also up.
I start seeing the Dr. every two weeks now. I had an appointment last week. Everything is going well. My next appt is next week :) Bryan and I also started our 'Lamaze class.' There's about 15 or so couples in the room so it's quite full. Everyone found out what they were having but us. It's been interesting so far to learn about the different stages of delivery, and the pictures and videos are quite, ummmm, graphic/realistic at times :). What I really like is the end of the class where we learn a new breathing relaxation technique and the husband gets to sit there and just give you morale support by rubbing your back or shoulders...... Hmmmmmmmmmm.
8/5/2008 1:40:54 PM - 002018417111
Well, I am officially now a full 27 weeks. Yeah! The baby should now be able to breathe on its own and has a much better chance of survival should he/she be born anytime soon. We're praying that doesn't happen, but it's nice to know the baby is safer if it should.
I am also starting my 7th month and final trimester. In some respects it has gone so fast and in others so slow. I am definitely growing. This past week I feel like I've had a growth spurt in my abdomen area so I'm assuming the baby has as well :)
The baby should be close to 2 pounds now and about 11 ins in length from foot to head. Kara can correct me if I'm wrong about any of this but I think that's what the books say.
7/21/2008 11:38:42 PM - 002018417111
Well, in terms of names so far Bry and I have only been able to agree on a girl's name. I like Reeniya (SP emphasis on the pronunciation). I believe it means the LORD is my joy. But we can't for sure find that name. We have found, though, Reena, which is Hebrew for (shout of) joy. Reena Marie VanHaitsma. What do you think?
The word Reena is found in Ps 30:5 - His anger lasts for a moment, His favor for a lifetime. Weeping may endure for a night but (a shout of) joy comes in the morning. I have LOVED that verse since I was in highschool. Now we just need to have a girl.....
7/15/2008 2:18:20 PM - 002018417111
This is probably common knowledge but it is absolutely amazing how God created the body to deal with pregnancy. The more I learn about it the more amazed I am. Did you know that the mother's body produces the exact type of milk her baby needs, depending on if the baby is early or goes full term? Did you know that inside the womb is one of the safest and most shock resistant places to be? The whole thing is just absolutely amazing. Only God could be this intelligent and this wise and this powerful to make the body work together so well.
The new monthly picture should be up sometime soon. Yep, I am in the beginning of my 6th month, and again I didn't think that I had grown all that much (although my co-workers kept telling me I did) until I looked back at my 5 month picture. Yeah, I've grown a tad :)
7/7/2008 11:17:36 PM - 002018417111
Last Thursday I had a Dr's appt and to my surprise the nurse said he wanted to do another ultrasound. So, up I went back up on the table and in walked Dr. Gentry. This ultrasound lasted maybe 3-5 minutes, it was really quick. I think the reason he did it is bc he wanted to try to get a good look at the baby's face. The last time the Little one had pushed its face into my pelvis and we never had a good profile shot. So, one more look. I'll let the pictures tell you if we got a good shot or not :)
I'm just thankful I had another chance to see the little one. Alas, no movements this time either, though. I think the baby slept through these past two ultrasound appointments. Thankfully, at least at my 12 week ultrasound the Little one was moving like crazy!
7/2/2008 3:23:28 PM - 002018417111
You know, as I read through all the books on pregnancy and their different 'signs and symptoms' of pregnancy I kept going - that won't happen to me. I won't have to deal with that. Well, let's go through the different pregnancy symptoms I've been experiencing shall we.
- Mood swings (no surprise), cravings (soy sauce, cheese, pickles- but not all together), fatigue, morning sickness (all done praise the Lord!), breaking out (like a teenager some days), bloating (have to be honest, REALLY tired of this one, it's uncomfortable!), swelling (just my left ankle somewhat), heartburn (usually when I try to sleep), leg cramps (had my 2nd one this morning -ouch), not to mention the growing bulge in my stomach area and now the movement of my Little one :)
If I think of any more I'll add them to the list.