22 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

Our baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside my womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

How my life's changing:

At this point, my belly is becoming a hand magnet. I have to admit, it's a bit awkward for strangers to come up and touch my belly. I'm not typically a touchy person to begin with so it's definitely stretching me beyond my comfort zone. And I just love how everyone wants to tell me I look bigger than I should at this point. On that note at my last prenatal visit they said I'm measuring at 24 weeks instead of 22. Could be the weight gain but I'd like to chalk it up to a big baby. I have to remember that one, each woman grows - and shows - at her own rate. But two, I am married to a man that is 6'3" and his dad is 6'8". We are going to have a big baby.

21 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

I'm not sure of the actual weight or length of our baby at this point but I assure you he's growing. Seems like I'm getting noticeably bigger every day. He is definitely an active little guy, guess he's going to take after his daddy. Starting to notice a pattern in his activity. He also seems to like when Micah or anyone for that matter is preaching. Just maybe this little guy will be a preacher some day. Wouldn't surprise me.

How my life's changing:

It's been a busy season and I've been tackling pretty long days so I'm starting to notice some swelling in the feet and hands. Summer is always exciting as I get to lead our Summer Internship. Between June and July we've had 21 students and I'm always amazed at how God works in and through us for His greater glory. The days are long and tiresome but the rewards are worth it by far. We've also hosted 2 outreaches this summer and have youth camp next week. Yes, we are busy but not to busy to slow down and connect with God. Micah and I also make sure we have time for each other. I was grateful when he insisted we go on a date last night, even though I was exhausted, I needed that time with him. I've come to realize that the time we have to ourselves may not compete with the quantity of time that goes into the ministry but the quality has become greater and greater as we find our fulfillment in Christ. I know God equips and enables those that He calls and I'm thankful that He sustains us when we feel that we've got nothing more to give.

Well I've officially graduated to maternity pants. I was glad to have been able to wear my normal jeans this long. For the last month I had been using a belly band but I got tired of fussing with the constant pulling up and making sure everything was covered all the while hoping I wasn't offending anyone. Thanks to those of you who have blessed me with the ability to be in comfortable clothes and feel confident while I'm pregnant. I have to say I'm a big fan of the store "Motherhood".

I seemed to have had abnormally clear skin the first trimester and was hoping it'd last throughout the pregnancy but I've always been prone to oily skin and acne and it's beginning to rear it's typical plight. And on the topic of skin, I'm starting to notice a few stretch marks already - oh joy, it begins!

Well enough for now, I'm just a couple days away from 22 weeks so I'll be posting again soon.

20 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing: Every baby develops a little differently - even in the womb. So I've realized the information I've taken from babycenter for this blog is not completely accurate for our baby as we learned he's growing a little faster than the norm. He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and we'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

How my life's changing:

Well the exciting news is I've hit the halfway mark in my pregnancy. The top of my uterus is actually a little above my belly button, and I've gained about 10 pounds. I can expect to gain another pound or so each week from now on. Sleep is becoming more difficult as the pregnancy progresses, thanks to some obvious and not-so obvious changes taking place in my body. I was a little surprised to hear Micah tell me I've been snoring. I can contribute that to the swelling of the mucous membranes that line the nose and may cause me to make more mucus. The key is to sleep on my side and elevate my head slightly. If only I could remain in one position through the night:) Heartburn has been kicking in a little more but thankfully Tums usually does the job. We had a screening test for down syndrome and everything came back normal - praise Jesus (not that it would have changed our mind but every expecting parent wants a healthy baby).

Here's the next pregnancy picture - 5 months along.

19 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

My baby's sensory development is exploding! His brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear my voice now, so we're not to be shy about reading aloud, talking to him, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes us.

Our baby weighs about 11 ounces ( a little ahead of schedule growth wise - I think he's going to be a big baby, thanks to my wonderful husband!) His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

How my life's changing:

I feel big now! However, I'll start growing even faster in the weeks to come. As a result, I've already begun to notice some achiness in my lower abdomen or even an occasional brief, stabbing pain on one or both sides — especially when I shift position or at the end of an active day. Most likely, this is round ligament pain. The ligaments that support my uterus are stretching to accommodate its increasing weight.

18 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:

Head to rump, my baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that I'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born.

How my life's changing: An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Trying to make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Maternity clothes are a must now as my appetite and waistline grow. My cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester my blood pressure will probably be

lower than usual. Have to be careful not to spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or I might feel a little dizzy. I'm learning that from now on, when I do lie down, it's best to lie on my side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Positioning a pillow behind or under the hip or upper leg helps for comfort.

On another note I wanted to post a couple pictures of the room decor I will be using. I registered at Baby's R Us yesterday but they do not carry the bedding I "had" to have so I had already purchased it online.

17 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing: My baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — his lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. My baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

How my life's changing: Many women report that their dream life shifts into high gear during pregnancy. Interestingly, during the second and third trimesters, you spend less sleep time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the cycle in which most dreams occur. Why, then, all those frequent and vivid dream memories?It's probably at least in part because you may be interrupting a dream-filled cycle when you wake up to pee, cope with heartburn, leg cramps, restless legs, or a backache, or to shift to a more comfortable position. Waking up during REM sleep makes you more likely to remember your dreams.It may also be in part that dreams seem so vivid during pregnancy because for most women pregnancy is a time of such heightened emotions — from joy to apprehension and everything in between — but no one really knows for sure.

16 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Get ready for a growth spurt.  In the next few weeks, my baby will double his weight and add inches to his length.  Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.  His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head.  His ears are close to their final position, too.  The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet.  He's even started growing toenails.  And there's a  lot happening inside as well.  For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as my baby continues to develop.

How my life's changing:  The top of my uterus is about halfway between my pubic bone and my navel and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows.  I have a short torso as it is, so things are definitely feeling as though they are being pushed into my lower ribs.  Haven't felt major moves yet but a few scratches or at least that's what it feels like, quite uncomfortable I might say.  Heartburn is also starting to take it's toll - not fun.

Took my first belly picture now that I'm 4 months.

And the most exciting news from this week is we had another ultrasound and found out we're having a BOY!  Mack Hays Crump will be his name.  Mack was Micah's Grandfather's name and Dad's middle name.  Hays is also a family name - Micah's middle name. 

15 Weeks Pregnant

Well, again I find myself getting this posted a bit late... I'm actually already 16 weeks... We're hoping to find out this week if we're having a boy or girl so I figured I'd wait for this weeks post.  So here's 15 Weeks:

How my baby's growing:  My growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple).  The baby is busy' moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory track, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop.  The baby's legs are growing longer than the arms now, and it can move all of the joints and limbs.  Although the eyelids are still fused shut, they can sense light.  If you were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, the baby is likely to move away from the beam.  There's not much for my baby to taste at this point, but taste buds are forming.  At 15 weeks it is possibly to find out whether we're having a boy or girl, however nailing down the baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and the baby's position.  However, we're not schedule for another appointment until I'll be 16 1/2 weeks - hoping to find out then!

How my life's changing:  On average it's healthy and normal to have gained about 5 pounds by now (I've only gained 3 but with the extra baggage I started with that's good for me).  Mornings usually start with a bit of a stuffy nose which can be chalked up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to my mucous membranes.  This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy."  Usually by mid-morning things have cleared up and I'm good to go.

I have been very blessed this week by both my father-in-law and a member of our church with a gift to buy maternity clothes.  I don't think I've ever had so much fun shopping for clothes. Maternity clothes actually make you look better and feel good about yourself.  One of the stores we went to was called "Motherhood" and in the dressing room there was a strap on belly equivalent to 3 months pregnancy so you can see what you'll look like and if clothes will continue to fit in 3 more months.  It was rather funny to show Micah and see his response. And that would only have been about 7 months along, just add two more months to that.

14 Weeks Pregnant

Got a little behind schedule as summer months tend to be a bit busier.  Gearing up for 13 Summer Interns to join us for the month of June.  We are very anxious to partner with them in their spiritual journey.  I'm just praying I can keep up with them while maintaining my health and sanity being pregnant.  I'm looking forward to the challenge but also know I have a great husband who will bring me back to reality if I get ahead of myself.

How my baby's growing:  This week's big developments:  Our baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee and possibly suck it's thumb!  Thanks to the brain impulses, the facial muscles are getting a workout as the tiny features form one expression after another.  The kidneys are producing urine, which is released into the amniotic fluid around them - a process they'll keep up until birth.  The baby can grasp too, and may even be seen sucking it's thumb during an ultrasound.

In other news:  My baby's stretching out.  From head to bottom, the baby measures 3 1/2 inches - about the size of a lemon - and weighs 1 1/2 ounces.  The body's growing faster than the head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck.  By the end of this week, the arms will have grown to a length that's in portion to the rest of the body.  (The legs still have some lengthening to do.)  The baby is starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over the body.  Our baby's liver starts making bile this week - a sign that's it doing it's job right - and the spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells.  Though I can't distinguish the tiny punches and kicks yet, our little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

How my life's changing:  Well I'm officially in my second trimester.  They say your energy is likely to return but with the added load of summer to my plate and trying to acclimate myself to longer days I don't feel like I have more energy.

There's definitely a baby bump pooching out there but with my short, stocky self if you didn't know I was pregnant you probably wouldn't ask.  My belly is becoming more firm and defined but I'd give it another few weeks before you could noticeably tell it's the cause of a little one in there.  Getting more excited to buy some maternity clothes (clothes that will fit properly and quit with this make-shift business)!

13 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Fingerprints have formed on my baby's tiny fingertip, the veins and organs are clearly visible through the still-thin skin, and the body is starting to catch up with the head - which makes up just a third of the body size now.  Our baby is almost 3 inches long and has reached the size of a peach.  Also developing this week is our baby's vocal cords. 

How my life's changing:  If anything the only change that I really notice is the continuing clothes shrinking, or is it that I'm growing:) I have to admit going clothes shopping is not one of my favorites, especially when you're not feeling so comfortable in your body.  I know this is a good change but being as short as I am I just look and feel ridiculous as I get bigger! I'm sure once the belly really starts showing more it will be a bit cuter.  

Well after much grappling in prayer and many discussions, we've decided to switch from using a midwife to an ob/gyn.  I kept trying to convince myself I wanted to use the midwife but once I got honest with myself and Micah I didn't have peace in my spirit.   There were a number of things that contributed to our decision but without getting into all the details we feel confident that we have made the right decision to have Dr. David Hernandez aide us in this pregnancy process and deliver our baby.  He is a member of our church whom we know and trust not to mention he is a man of God who has our best interest in mind.  

Today we had our first ultrasound done.  It was so amazing to get to see the life that is forming inside me.  There's nothing like getting to see and hear that heartbeat.  Well here's a picture of the ultrasound.  Have fun trying to figure out what's what.

12 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  The most dramatic development this week: reflexes.  My baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, the toes will curl, the eye muscles will clench, and the mouth will make sucking movements.  In fact, if you prod my abdomen, my baby will squirm in response, although I won't be able to feel it.  The intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into the abdominal cavity about now and the kidneys will begin excreting urine into the bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly and in my baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously.  The face looks unquestionably human: the eyes have moved from the sides to the front of the head, and the ears are right where they should be.  From crown to rump, my baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.

How my life's changing:  My uterus has grown to the point where my healthcare provider can now feel the top of it low in my abdomen (although we have not been for another check-up yet).  Loose, less restrictive clothing has become a friend of mine.  

I'm beginning to feel a bit of heartburn with certain foods.  Many women get heartburn for the first time during pregnancy, however this is not my first bout with it.  During pregnancy, the placenta produces a lot of the hormone progesterone, which relaxes the valve that separates the esophagus from the stomach.  Particularly when I'm laying down, gastric acid can seep back up the pipe, which causes the uncomfortable burning sensation.  It's said to get worse as the uterus grows and starts to push up on the stomach more.  

Nearing the end of my first trimester, 13 weeks will begin the 2nd trimester and will last through 27 weeks.  Next week will also mark the beginning of 4 months.

My "First" Mother's Day

It was a bit strange to hear those words for the first time... "Happy Mother's Day" but it allowed me to enjoy the day knowing I am already a mother inside.

One of the cutest cards I received looked like this

Soon those

ten tiny toes

will tiptoe

into your heart

and leave 

their footprints

forever.

I also received this e-card via e-mail and thought it was so cute.

11 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  My baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed.  The hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under the gums, and some of the bones are beginning to harden.

The baby is already busy kicking and stretching, but the tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet.  These movements will become more frequent as the body grows and becomes more developed and functional.  I won't feel the baby's acrobatics for another month or two - nor will I notice the hiccuping that may be happening now that the diaphragm is forming.

How my life's changing:  Doesn't seem like there are too many new life changes just yet. The obvious frequent bathroom runs keep me on my toes and nights are becoming a little more restless as I can't quite get comfortable.  Micah as been experiencing a few restless nights himself (poor thing).  He wanted to be more educated on this whole process so I bought him the book "The Expectant Father".  He has been loving it and it's spurred on some good conversation. Micah has been so excited and wants to be very involved!  

10 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Though the baby's barely the size of a kumquat - a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom - and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, the baby has now completed the most critical portion of the development.  This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in the body rapidly grow and mature.  

The baby is swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm.  Vital organs - including the kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) - are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout the pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside my womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments:  My baby's limbs can bend now.  The hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over the heart, and the feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body.  The outline of the spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from the spinal cord.  My baby's forehead temporarily bulges with the developing brain and sits very high on the head, which measures half the length of the body.  From crown to rump, the baby is about 1 1/4 inches long.  In the coming weeks, my baby will again double in size - to nearly 3 inches.

How my life's changing:  Before I got pregnant, my uterus was the size of a small pear.  By this week, it's as big as a grapefruit.  However, I still don't have much to show for.  I have a small "baby bump" but considering I was a bit over my normal weight to begin with it doesn't look like much has changed.  Clothes still fit but some are beginning to be more uncomfortable than others.  

9 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing: The new resident in nearly an inch long - about the size of a grape - and weights just a fraction of an ounce.  The baby is definitely starting to look more and more like a human.  The essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go though plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months.  Other changes abound:  The baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form - as do the tiny teeth.  The embryonic "tail" is completely gone.  Our baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear.  The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.  The eyes are fulling formed, but the eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks.  The tiny earlobes, mouth, nose and nostrils are more distinct.  The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones.  Now that the baby's basic physiology is in place, it's poised for rapid weight gain.

How my life's changing:  Although I haven't gained any weight I definitely feel pregnant, especially as clothes are beginning to feel a bit snug.

Today we had our first prenatal visit... amongst the routine blood and lab work, we got to hear the baby's heartbeat!  There's something about that steady little drumbeat (more like a locomotive) that makes you realize that you really, truly are going to have a baby soon.  Not only is this an audible manifestation of our child's existence, but a confirmation that he or she is developing on track.  I love Psalm 139:13 "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb."  Today was an audible confirmation that our child is indeed being knit together in my womb.  I can't express how exciting this truly is, there is life!

8 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from my baby's hands and feet, the eyelids practically cover the eyes, breathing tubes extend from the throat into the branches of the developing lungs, and the "tail" is just about gone.  In the brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.  As I'm dreaming about what gender my baby will be, the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether we are having a boy or girl.  Either way, our baby is about the size of a kidney bean and is constantly moving and shifting, though I still can't feel it.  

How my life's changing:  Feeling fatigued?  Absolutely! A rise in progesterone is definitely contributing to my sluggishness, not to mention the frequent visits to the bathroom through the night.  The midwife just contributes this to God's way of preparing us for the sleepless nights when the baby arrives.  A week from today and we'll have our first prenatal visit!

7 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs - although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities I'm daydreaming about holding and tickling.  Technically, my baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of the tailbone.  The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller.  My baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside my womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering the peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of the nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin.  Both hemispheres of my baby's brain are growing, and the liver is churning out red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role.  The baby also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion.  A loop in my baby's growing intestines is bulging into the umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from it's tiny body.

How my life's changing: Well my uterus has doubled in size in the past five weeks and although I haven't gained any weight, I can already feel a difference in the way my clothes are fitting. Getting ready is the biggest event of my day!  I can only imagine what the months to come will be like.  I've had to pee more than usual, thanks to the increasing blood volume and extra fluid being processed through my kidneys. (By now, I already have about 10 percent more blood than I did before I was pregnant.  And by the end of my pregnancy, I'll have 40 to 45 percent more blood running through my veins to meet the demands of my full-term baby.)  As my uterus grows, pressure on my bladder will send me to the bathroom more often. (And I thought I went to the bathroom a lot before I was pregnant!)

So far things have been good.  I have randomly felt nauseated but it usually passes after a short time, no vomiting yet - thank God!  A little more tired than normal but with my schedule it's not hard to squeeze in a quick power nap which usually does the job.

We have an orientation meeting set up tomorrow with the Holy Family Birth Center.  This will be an informational meeting to talk through everything with us, explain how it all works, meet the midwife and set up our first prenatal visit for next Monday or Tuesday.  

6 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing:  This week's major developments:  The nose, mouth, and ears that I'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape.  If you could see into my uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where my baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form.  His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds.  His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute - almost twice as fast as yours - and blood is beginning to course through his body.  His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will rise to his lungs has appeared.  His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones.  Right now, my baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

How my life's changing:  I have found myself developing a bit of a split personality - feeling moody one day and joyful the next.  This is a bit unsettling (especially since I pride myself on being in control), but I've been told what I'm going through is normal.  Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones.  But hormones aside, my life is about to change in a big way - and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?

We are still in the process of trying to decide on a health care provider.  One option is an ob/gyn doctor in our church.  Pre-pregnancy I was anti-male doctors to an extreme.  However, as I have gotten to know this man of God and heard reports of others experience with him, I am warming up to the idea.  However, one drawback is that we do not have insurance.  So option two (and more affordable) would be to use a midwife.  I had a friend go this route and had a wonderful experience.  A couple cons to this option is the facilities are about 35 minutes away and they don't do sonograms.  I think that is one thing all expecting mothers look forward to during the process.  To hear the heart beat for the first time, find out the gender if you so desire...

Well I have about a week and a 1/2 before I should have my first prenatal visit so by then we should have made our decision.  Please keep us in your prayers as we trust in the Lord for His guidance and provision.

5 Weeks Pregnant

How my baby's growing: I am 5 weeks pregnant.  At this point, the baby is about the size of a sesame seed and looks more like a tadpole than a human.  The baby is now made up of three layers - the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm - which will later form all of the organs and tissues.

The neural tube - from which the baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout - is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm.  This layer will also give rise to skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

The heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm.  This week, the tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.  The mesoderm will also form the baby's muscles, cartilage, bone and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house the lungs, intestines and rudimentary urinary system, as well as the thyroid, liver and pancreas.  In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to the baby, are already on the job.

How my life's changing: Although the outside world can't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside me, my life is already changing as I have noticed some pregnancy-related discomforts like fatigue, frequent urination and a bit of nausea.  This definitely is a new season of life but we are looking forward to the adventure ahead.  

It's amazing how God's timing works... As we've clung to Matthew 6:33  and truly put Him first he has given us the desires of our heart.  We are more dependent on Him than ever (almost like He planned it that way). This definitely is a new season of life but we couldn't be more excited and are looking forward to the adventure ahead.

When you have the Fear of the Lord

When you have the fear of the Lord, God promises 

• to deliver you from your enemies (2 Kings 17:39) 
• protect you from evil (Proverbs 16:6)
  
• keep His eye on you (Psalm 33:18)
• show you His mercy (Luke 1:50)
• give you riches and honor (Proverbs 22:4)
• supply everything you need (Psalm 34:9)
• reveal all you need to know (Psalm 25:14)
• bless your children and grandchildren (Psalm 103:17)
• give you confidence (Proverbs 14:26)
• a satisfying life (Proverbs 19:23)
• longevity (Proverbs 10:27)
• and the desires of your heart (Psalm 145:19)

What more could you ask for?  May you pray for the comforting, securing, perfect love of the Lord to surround you and deliver you from all fears.