27 days left until my scheduled c-section on 24 November!!!!  I can barely believe we have less than a month until we get to see Baby Boy's little face.  I often wonder who he looks like... I've come to accept that our girls look mostly like me -- according to Sean.  But I really hope Baby Boy looks just like Sean.  No matter what, he will be such a precious blessing, just as our other children are.

Today was my 35 week appointment and I gained only one pound since last time -- YAY!  So far I have gained a total of 34 lbs, but it's a bit late in the game to worry too much about it.;-)  My abdominal measurement was on target for 35 weeks and Baby Boy's heart rate was 135bpm.  He has also settled in the head down position.  My next appointment is in 2 weeks, 12 November.

We have most everything we need for Baby Boy's arrival.  My last shopping trip will be for toiletry & medicine cabinet items like baby soap, infant tylenol, etc.  I have his bag pretty much packed for the hospital.  Mine is a whole different story.  That probably won't get done until a day or so before we leave for the hospital.

Arielle and Rachel continue to be excited about their brother's impending arrival.  They drew pictures of themselves and the baby and decorated his bedroom door with them.  Every night they tell my tummy goodnight before they go to bed.  Sean plans to take off a couple weeks after the birth.  I am so grateful because I will definitely need his support as we adjust to the newborn stage.

Thank you as always for your continued prayers on our behalf. 

In Christ, Talya

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  ~Psalm 139:13-14

Yesterday was my 32-week OB appointment.  All continues to progress well.  I measured on target for 32 weeks and Baby Boy's heart rate was a healthy 148 bpm again.  He continued his normal high activity as he would kick back at being poked and prodded by the doctor.  We still have our tentative c-section date for 24 November (47 days to go!).  My doctor will be on leave then, so a new doctor, who has yet to arrive, will likely be delivering the baby. 

My blood pressure was elevated which is the story of my life.  The nurse took it 2 times -- the first time was a whopping 152/69, the second time was 137/68... better, but no cigar.   Some good news was that my glucose tolerance test results were indeed normal.

I had a postpartum uterine hemmorhage 5 days after Rachel was born, so I asked if that was likely to repeat itself.  The doctor said it was something to make note of, but that there was not a greater likelihood of recurrence.  Apparently, the same goes for the SCH (subchorionic hematoma/hemmorhage) in subsequent pregnancies. 

My next appointment is scheduled for 28 October.  We'll be 35 weeks along by then.

I am continually grateful to the Lord to be able to bring good reports of this pregnancy.  I am awed by how far He has brought us through this experience. 

In Christ, Talya

Here's a picture of me today at almost 30 weeks!  My tummy is bigger than the last photo of me at 22 weeks, but my face and legs have really taken the brunt of the weight gain.  Glad you can't see my legs!

Sean and I this past Sunday right before church... 29 weeks exactly.

Rachel, Arielle and I outside a restaurant on 30 August.  Apparently, I really love my black t-shirt.  It's from Old Navy and it's so comfortable.  It's not maternity, so it may be stretched beyond recognition by the end of this pregnancy.  In Christ, Talya

I am finally in my third trimester.  I can barely believe that, Lord willing, in a couple months we will be holding our new baby boy!  In fact I ALMOST have a date for my c-section -- probably 24 November.  That shaves off a week, hence only 11 weeks to go!  The dr said the 24th looked like a good date, but she won't put me on the books until my next appt at 32 weeks.

Today's OB appointment went well.  Even though I've gained 5.5 lbs since four weeks ago, the Dr. (a different one from last time) didn't say anything.  She did say that I continue to measure two weeks ahead, but doesn't see a cause for concern unless I measure more than 3 weeks too large or I am found to have gestational diabetes.

Speaking of gestational diabetes, I took the dreaded glucose test today.  Actually, I've never minded it as long as the glucose drink was cold.  It's always tasted like nearly-flat Pepsi or Sunkist to me.  The dr will call me in the next few days if the results are abnormal.  Otherwise, I won't hear from her until my next regular appt.

Baby boy's heartbeat was 148 bpm.  He was kicking a lot and still is a few hours later.  I think he is still experiencing a sugar high from the glucose drink.;-)

Thank you all for your continued prayers.   In Christ, Talya

Today was my 24 week appt.  This week is significant because baby boy becomes viable with over a 50% chance of survival outside the womb!!  Of course, permanent disability for the baby would be likely if I delivered now, so he will have to remain in the oven for several more weeks.

In general, all was well... except the one thing I had been dreading -- my weight gain!!!  I just knew the nurse would HAVE to say something this time.   First she asked how much I had gained with my daughters.  For both, I gained 40-something pounds.  The nurse then remarked that I was on track to repeat that weight gain, which is more than the recommended 25-35 lbs by delivery.  I am already up 22 lbs at 24 weeks!  She recommended that I get out and walk and that I make healthier eating choices and cut down on portion sizes.  Ugh, I'm PREGNANT!!!  Why do I have to think about these things??!! 

The official result of last month's ultrasound was that all appeared normal and that there was no sign of any uterine bleeding or, I presume, the hematoma.  This is really good news! 

My blood pressure was awesome at 120/65.  The baby's heart rate was 134 bpm.  I measured at 26 weeks, but that was within the realm of a normal-sized baby.

I continue to be amazed at how God continues to sustain this pregnancy and our baby boy.

In Christ, Talya

Here I am at 22 weeks, taken just this past Monday (with Rachel looking on; Arielle took the picture!).  I feel like my tummy is running a bit larger at this stage than in other pregnancies.  I can't imagine doubling in size by the end of all this unless I was having twins -- which we are certain we are not.   By my 20 week appt, I had gained a total of 16 pounds, but 8 of that had been in the 4 weeks prior!  I'm SUPPOSED to gain only a pound a week for a total of 25-35 lbs by delivery.  Well, I've cut back on stuffing myself, so I should do better at my next appt on 12 Aug.

We've been buying many of our main nursery items: crib, infant car seat, Pack 'N Play, etc.  There are restrictions to the size and weight of things shipped to our APO address, so we are definitely a captive audience to what the PX has in stock when it comes to larger unshippable items.  Sean and the girls have been having a ball putting things together.  Normally, it's my job, but I have enjoyed just supervising this go around!

We've even got our cloth diapers!  Yes, I'm taking the plunge and using cloth diapers on this baby.  It seems that cloth diapers have made a resurgence of sorts and are more sophisticated and convenient to use than the cloth diapers of my infancy... oh, so long ago!  They are also incredibly less expensive than disposables and, of course, more environmentally friendly.  I'm excited about using them... obviously, it doesn't take much to amuse me these days!

I continue to have more energy these days as long as I get one little midday nap in!  I still have the bothersome cramping when I sit too long or walk too long, but baby boy seems to be oblivious.  He is very active especially in the evenings.

I found a message board for women with SCH (subchorionic hematoma/hemmorhage) pregnancies which has been so encouraging.  The women are very knowledgable about the condition and willing to share their own experiences as we travel this road together.  Most pregnancy outcomes have been positive despite early deliveries for some.  I will update again after my 12 Aug appt.  I will be 24 weeks by then which means the baby will be considered viable --  he will have over a 50% chance of living outside my womb!

In Christ, Talya

... BABY.... Here's a sideways view of the face.  Moving left to right, baby's brain, eyes, nose, and chin.

...BOY... Can't you tell?!!!

According to the tech, all looked well and the measurements were on track -- God is good!!!

In Christ, Talya

Today marks 20 weeks down, with 20 weeks to go until our 30 November due date!!!    I praise the Lord for each day that the baby is well and for each day we get closer to seeing his or her little face, Lord willing. 

I remember my days in the hospital during the ninth week of pregnancy when things looked grim, thinking that I could not imagine making it this far.  Physically I felt bad and emotionally I was exhausted.  Only the Lord got me through those early days when I honestly felt I did not want this to go on any longer.  He knows best and I keep reminding myself to rejoice in Him no matter how grim the circumstance or how uncertain the future may seem.  One thing I know is that the future is NOT uncertain to the Lord.

In Christ, Talya