29 weeks and growing

This past week at the hospital, I've been working the pediatric floor- and I see a whole lot of ill babies and young kids. Not surprisingly, these little people tend to have been premature or have unhelpful (read: overprotective or absent) parents. It's really hard to accept that some parents don't innately feel blessed by their child...and that its the child who suffers.

On top of that, I toured the NICU today and saw babies younger than Jacob fighting so hard for survival. My brother (Dana) was born at 28 weeks, and so I kept comparing these babies to both Jacob (the image I've got in my head) and Dana. It's miraculous what medicine is capable of... and almost more amazing is what tender compassion, love, and guidance can do for these teeny creatures. Without the persistant adoration and constant love from my parents, Dana could very easily have spent most of his childhood in a hospital or even special schools struggling to keep up with the "normal" kids- or just struggling for his life. Instead, he's thrived physically and mentally (he's too smart for his own good). Sure, there are some aspects of Dana that are likely linked to his early departure from the womb, but these things haven't restricted him to a bed or daily dependence upon others.




Anyway, my point is: I'm relieved to be 29 weeks along, I'm so fortunate to have each and every piece of family, and working in a hospital will reinforce not only the role of nutrition in healing but also the power of love.

the final phase!

Now, we're officially in the last third of pregnancy and free of gestational diabetes! Just thought I'd share... Happy friday and weekend to everyone

Alive and Kicking

I suppose it's a good thing to be really very busy and have time fly by...but I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since we last updated this blog! We've since celebrated the New Year with family and Greensboro friends in Raleigh, been so kindly showered with goodies for Jacob, returned to AZ, and jumped right back into work. It's always hard to leave family and great friends in NC...and this time was certainly no exception! Thanks to everyone.

Currently, we're only a few days shy of the third trimester (27 1/2 weeks). I've gained about 18 pounds, though Jacob is currently only about 2 pounds, and I'm still feeling pretty good- which is to say, there's not a remarkable increase in unpleasant symptoms as of yet. Jacob's really throwing himself around now, and if he's positioned like we're guessing, he really loves sticking his tush out to share with the public. (though for all we know it could be him headbutting me....) He's had the hiccups about 5 times in the last 24 hours, and even though doctors say babies in the womb don't mind them, I think our kiddo gets frustrated by them and moves feverishly to rid himself of them. At least, that's my impression :)

College students head back to campus this week, so Daniel's back to Campus Ministry and all the associated activities- which will include play rehearsals for the dinner theater April 4, 5, &6. I'm back at the hospital and will be there until the first week in March...other than that, there isn't a whole lot of fascinating "stuff" on this side of the world, thank goodness! On that note, Happy 2008 to everyone!