39 Weeks!

An early Merry Christmas from our family to yours! As we anticipate the birth of our first child, we can't help but imagine Mary and Joseph and the anticipation for the Prince of Peace. Or riding on a donkey while pregnant... ouch! We are also confined to Austin and missing our wonderful families. Know we love you and miss sharing this joyous time of year with you.
Sorry I haven't posted in weeks. Finishing up school, the holiday season, and being pregnant I think we have just been barely surviving. Then our toilette flooded and our house turned into a drying machine zone for five days. But praise the Lord, they dried out and we don't have to have them replaced!

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 39 weeks

Fruit/Veggie: Baby is now the weight of a mini watermelon ( looks like a full size watermelon to me)

Size: a little over 7 pounds and about 20 inches long, so says the pregnancy books... the Dr. says closer to 8 or 9 lbs....

Baby Changes: Baby continues to build a layer of fat to help control his/her body temperature after birth, but it's likely he/she already measures about 20 inches and weighs a bit over 7 pounds, a mini watermelon. The outer layers of his skin are sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. Baby Becker is developed and ready to come visit the world outside the womb.

Best Moment this week: My class had a diapers and doughnuts celebration for me and it was super sweet and fun to get to share this with them. School is finished, who hoo!! I can't tell you what an accomplishment this is!
We celebrated 2 years of marriage on the 20th. I so love Keith, and am very blessed with such a God fearing man. I can't wait to see him be a daddy!
And all the blowers are out of our house and there is peace again!

Gender: who knows??? Kieth is pretty insistent on a girl..... I have no clue, but I am super anxious to find out :)

Movement: Movement is allot slower than in weeks past... there is a foot that often sweeps across my belly, it is really weird you can feel the heal.

Food/Drink Craving: hot chocolate ( the unprego Tori can't get enough of that though), cereal and oatmeal

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty much non existent. I have bags under my eyes... For about 3 weeks now I start having contractions in the afternoon and they last all through the night. And well lying down and contractions don't go together.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting our baby! Boy our girl? My chin or Kieth's? Hair or no hair? So much anticipation.... oh ya and you know I want to go into that nursery so bad!
Also I am looking forward to wearing clothes that fit.... I have gotten so large that Keith's close are the best fit for me....and I am ready to go back to the girl side of the closet.

Symptoms: I have felt pretty icky lately. I am swollen and having contractions. I am constantly exhausted and often have tummy aches. Contractions are picking up but no "true labor" contractions.

2 weeks ago I went the Dr. and was 1cm dilated and 70% effacement.
1 week ago I went and was a "roomy 1" almost 2 cm and only 70%.
I go this afternoon and am hoping for lots of progress.... please! We have tried all the natural ways to progress labor except drinking Castor oil, because the Dr. said not too....

Hopefully the next post will be introducing our little one! But if not we will keep waiting :)

33/34 Weeks

So 34 weeks and we are almost ready for a baby... nursery done, bags packed, car seat in the car! Wooo hoo!!! Parenting here we come :)

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 34 weeks (8 1/2 months)

Fruit/Veggie: the weight of an average cantaloupe

Size: about 18 inches and about 5 pounds

Baby Changes: Baby Becker's fat layers — which will help regulate his/her body temperature once he's/she's born — are filling out, making a rounder baby. Babies skin is also smoother than ever. Tatonka's central nervous system is maturing and his/her lungs are continuing to mature as well. His/her tiny fingernails have probably reached the tips of his fingers by now.

Best Moment this week:Well technically it was last week... but.... the prayer shower and school baby shower, were both a total blessing! Oh, and how could I forget the nursery is ready and locked.... I am relieved this is finished, and resolved not to peak! Thank you Matt and Molly :)

Gender: precious baby..... I have been thinking boy this week... who knows??

Movement: Tatonka's movement has slowed down this week. It is more like get me out of here pressure, than kicking and flipping like weeks past. I guess he/she is feeling really tight in there. Oh and the hiccups have become a daily, whole belly shaking occurrence, kinda a funny feeling.

Food/Drink Craving:umm.... none really... my appetite has gone down, with less sounding good. Oh don't be mad at me, but I love me some decaf coffee with lots of milk!

Sleep: I don't sleep..... I lay down, start to snooze, then have to get up and go to the bathroom.... then the cycle starts again...

What I am looking forward to: Being off of school Thanksgiving break... it is getting harder and harder to make it through the school day.... rest sounds great! Oh and my grandparents are flying down from Oklahoma, and I love them so much!

Symptoms: I feel gigantic.... I am not complaining, but I have no idea how people can "love" being pregnant, my body is super uncomfortable . The swelling has started, it is not super severe but Keith and I both definitely notice it. Throwing up breakfast is annoying and a hard way to start the day... but only 40 something more days!

31 Weeks

Can you tell the baby has dropped?
Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Fruit/Veggie: The weight of 4 oranges

Size: little over 16 inches, 3.5 pounds

Baby changes: Baby is heading into a growth spurt. He/she can turn his/her head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. Tatonka's moving a lot, too. From this week on, he/she will continue to gain around ½ pound a week until shortly before birth.
Due to increasing space constraints, his arms and legs stay drawn up close to the body now. Plus, he can now process information from all five senses. His lungs are the only system not fully mature.

Best Moment this week: Camping with my hubby and wonderful friends. There is nothing like campfire, stars, and fellowship.

Gender: So now that I walk around with an basketball for a belly, everyone makes a comment... like.... "oh I see your having a boy" or "it's a girl right?" it is crazy how many people claim to know the gender..... all I know is it is a baby and we are excited :)

Movement: This baby moves all the time. Sometimes it shakes my whole belly. Ask Ellen she saw it. I felt a knee/foot sweep across my stomach one day. What a crazy feeling.

Food/Drink Craving: I crave protein like chicken and more chicken..... I also have been really liking grapes. The food aversions have returned although not as severe.

Sleep: Pregnant people don't need it... they need to empty their bladder.

What I am looking forward to: My sweet friends from church are having a prayer shower next Sunday and I am very excited for that :) Plus my parent are coming to visit. Also Keith has been diligently working on hard wood floors for our house..they look great.. and we are both looking forward to this being finished!

Symptoms: So the morning/all day sickness has been trying to creep it's way back in... this is super annoying, but for now I am thankful for the weeks/days were I feel well. My body is obviously getting ready for something... I have had pain in the pelvic area, which is uncomfortable, mainly to walk, but this just means things are preparing, so says the Internet.... we will see what the doctor says Thursday.

28 Weeks

Sorry it's been so long since an update, life has been good but crazy!

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 28 weeks, this is the first week of the 3rd trimester, crazy! On Wednesday I went to the doctor and measured 29 1/2 weeks. Surprise, there is a big baby to match the big belly! Oh and good news I passed the glucose test and don't have gestational diabetes.

Fruit/Veggie: The weight of a Chinese cabbage

Size: 14.8 inches, almost 2.25 lbs

Baby changes: By this week, he/she weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. Tatonka can blink eyes, which now have eyelashes. With his/her eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through the womb. Tatonka's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Best Moment this week: We had some friends family staying at our house for a few nights... and well we really enjoyed being able to share our house.... and hear the pitter patter of little feet, and hear a few cries!
Also we went to Katy for a neighborhood garage sale, in just a few hours, we got a chicco car seat and matching stroller, a bassonet, Tummy time plane all for 90 dollars. This was huge blessing... these things were barely used and what I had already picked out on our registry, color scheme and everything. I feel like God allowed us to get what we wanted and be good stewards of our money at the same time.

Gender: God knows!

Movement: The baby is moving alot. I keep getting kicked in the rib... the doctor said head is down and feet are up and to the right. Hopefully baby stays head down!

Food Craving: Just food.... oh my goodness can I eat.

Sleep: Sleep is uncomfortable..... but needed often.

What I am looking forward to: December :) We can't wait to meet this little one!

Symptoms: I just feel huge and clumsy..... did I say huge.... which is uncomfortable. But I feel the best I have felt all pregnancy, energy and attitude wise.

23 and 24 Weeks

As you can see pregnancy has had it's tolls on Keith. No really he just wants some attention too, so he joined me for the picture this week. He always makes me laugh....
Look how quickly his baby dropped!

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 23 and 24 Weeks

Fruit/Veggie: The weight of a Tuber (I don't know what that is, but it is the right weight)

Size: 11.5 inches, and 1.5 pounds

Baby changes: His/her sense of movement is well developed now. And now Tatonka's more than 11 inches long and weighs 1.5 pounds, you may be able to see him/her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in Tatonka's lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises become familiar now. By know the baby's face is almost fully formed- complete with eyelashes, eyebrows, and a good sprinkling of hair on the head.

Best Moment this week: Baby and I had a bonding moment in the car on my commute home this week. Tatonka kicked me and for some reason it tickled and surprised me so I giggled, then he/she kicked again, and I giggled again, and the kick came back.... this went on for couple of minutes. It was quite funny, Tatonka wouldn't kick until I giggled, but as soon as I did a kick came. It was a joyful crazy thing!
Seeing family in Houston last weekend was really peaceful and relaxing.

Gender: Matt and Molly know...
That is them with two of their boys. We are so grateful for them! Yesterday we went and picked up a crib and changing table from them. They have been so welcoming and loving to our family.

Movement: Oh my goodness.... all the time... we have a squirmier... Keith, my grandma, and my mom have all felt it.

Food Craving: Anything.... I have been super hungry lately....

Sleep: Sleep has been pretty good, naps have been frequent, we got a new mattress this past weekend and it is wonderful!

What I am looking forward to: Going to see Keith's family this weekend.

Symptoms:
Leg cramps have been better... I have been trying to drink more milk and water.... thanks for all the helpful advice.... I still have them but they are not as severe. My feet hurt often.... but that was common before pregnancy. My sweet husband helped make a stool for me to sit on at school so I can get off my feet more often. Hopefully it helps.

20,21,22 Weeks

So there is Baby Becker. A little while ago we had our twenty week ultra sound and everything looked great. Praise the Lord! That is a profile pic from the ultra sound. We stuck to our plan and did not find out the sex. Boy our Girl.... Keith and I don't know, but we did have the nurse write it on a card and our sweet friends Matt and Molly know. Closer to the due date they are going to paint the nursery pink or blue and put in the appropriate bedding. I have picked out one for a boy one for a girl. I just couldn't do gender neutral. Then they are going to lock the door... Crazy... yes we know...

Also since we don't know a gender we can't really pic a name so we have affectionately started call the baby Tatonka.... well because it is fun to say... and because he/she is quite a kicker!

Pregnancy Highlights for the Week:

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Fruit/Veggie: The length of a spaghetti squash!

Size: 11 inches, about 1 pound

Baby changes: At 11 inches and 1 pound, Tatonka is starting to look like a miniature newborn. Tatonkas lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he/she even developing tiny tooth buds beneath the gums. Tatonkas eyes have formed, but his/her irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside the womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which Tatonka sport until he/she adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside babies belly, his/her pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones are developing steadily.

Best Moment these past few weeks:

2 Things:
1. The ultrasound was amazing.... I just can't believe what God is doing inside my body!
2. Going back to school has been great... My students from last year are so excited, my kids this year are just cute, and it is fun to get to share this journey with so many.

Gender: Only Matt and Molly know....

Movement: Kicking, flipping, you name it it's happening.... Saturday morning it woke me up.

Food Craving: Cranberry Juice and Fruit

What I miss: having energy

Sleep: I have been sleepy and sleeping well quite a bit...

What I am looking forward to: getting closer to that day.... this process seems quite long.

Symptoms:
I have been feeling great compared to previous weeks. I wake up in the middle of the night with leg cramps. But they go away and I make it back to sleep.

19 Weeks

So as you can see... the bump has grown! Sometimes I really think.... is there really only one baby in there? this bump seems big enough for 2 or three. In the background of this pic you can see the beautiful living room of our new home.... my mom so graciously made curtains and worked super hard helping us decorate. She is awesome!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Fruit: The baby is the size of a large mango

Size: 10 inches long (head to toe).... so says the pregnancy book.

Baby changes: Our babies brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. He/she weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to rump. His/her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. His/her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on hisscalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on his skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

Best Moment this week: On Wednesday I felt like my normal perky self and had a blast working on the house with my mom and Keith. Oh and on Craigslist I found a lady who was selling a lot of maternity/work clothes... and they fit! This is huge.... it saved us so much money! Also people have been so generous giving us many baby things... this is such a blessing, we have wonderful friends and family!

Gender: boy? girl? everyone has there opinion but only God really knows....

Movement: Definitely felt some kicks and flips this week....

Food Craving: Nectarines, apples, and cranberry juice... lots of cranberry juice

What I miss: a good nights sleep

Sleep: having trouble getting to sleep, waking up quite often, and not being able to sleep at like 4 am because I am hungry.

What I am looking forward to: Wednesday we have an ultrasound!! Also seeing all my family at my cousin Adria's wedding Saturday.

Symptoms: Getting better... I have only gotten really sick once this whole week.... just maybe this is passing... if not it is worth it. God has taught me a ton through this sickness, and He will be my joy with or without sickness :)

16 Weeks

So since my last post we have been to Arkansas to see lots of family.... closed on our house.... moved out of our apartment.... and into our wonderful home ( I promise to post pics after we get all unpacked)... so things have been well CRAZY!!! and all this time I have still been prego and sicko.... so Keith has been super man... doing pretty much everything... I am thankful for him!
So I really thought this is how big I would be at 9 months.... not four.... oh my goodness.... what is happening?

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks

Fruit: Large Avocado... looks bigger to me?

Size: About 4.6 in, 3.5oz

Baby changes: Tiny bones forming in baby's ears (crazy, this means our baby can now pick up our voices), eyebrows, lashes and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming

Best Moment this week: Going to the doctor and hearing a wonderful heartbeat and moving into our home.

Gender: Not yet.. somewhere around December 30th....

Movement: Sometimes I can feel where the baby is.... and we heard lots of kicking at the doctors office.

Food Craving: baked potato.... mmmm....mmm....

What I miss: Being myself.... not feeling so stinky....

Sleep: pretty good

What I am looking forward to: felling more like a pregnant lady.... and well less like a fat one...

Symptoms: Being a really picky eater... and for some reason during this last week.... even though I am on medicine I have still been "tossing my cookies".....being tired.... and had a growing belly :)

13 Weeks!

Keith asked me to start a blog months ago.....

So I have finished procrastinating.....

I hope you like!

I got this idea from a friend, and hope you enjoy!

Pregnancy Highlights:

I know you can't see much in this picture but I am definately experiencing the in-between stage! I can't wear my old clothes but when I try on maternity clothes they seem huge!

How Far Along: 13 weeks

Fruit:Yes our baby is the size of a small Peach

Size: He or she now weighs about 2.5 ounces and is roughly 3.5 inches in length

Baby changes: Our baby's teeth and vocal cords are forming.

Best Moment this week: Getting to tell Keith Happy Father's Day!

Gender: We hope to not find out until the big day! We will see if this last :)

Movement: not yet

Food Craving: Lemonade, fruit smoothies, and crab won-tons( I know weird)

What I miss: being able to wear my cute capri's

Sleep: well this non dreamer... has had vivid dreams all night long( I got to swim with whales one night)

What I am looking forward to: Going to the doctor on Monday and hearing our little ones heart beat again!

Symptoms: Feeling like throwing up..... but thanks to Zofram pills..... that is as bad as it gets..... Some crying where I normally wouldn't.