Pregnancy Week 38, Dog Update, & A FIBRO'S IVF Video

This is a little late but here is the weekly update on baby Alayna and other various topics.  So we are getting closer and closer by the day to meeting our little miracle.  Maria and I just cannot wait to hold her soon!!

How far along: We are currently in week 38. As of today, we have 11 days to go! She is going to be here very soon. Everything is ready for you Alayna. The car seat is in the car awaiting your little body.  Your bedroom has been complete and the crib is waiting for you to take that first ever sleep. 

How big: Depending upon which baby app I reference…..She now weighs almost 7 lbs and almost 20 inches from head to toe. She is almost to my guess of 20 inches.

Developments and Milestones: Alayna has developed the ability to produce a firm grasp now.  She will soon be able to show us how strong those little hands are.  All of her organs have matured and she is ready for life outside the womb.

Anybody wondering what color eyes Alayna will have?

Well here is some info on that topic.  If she is born with brown eyes they will likely stay brown.  If she is born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she is 9 months old.  Anyone know what steel gray eyes look like????  The reason behind this is that Alayna’s irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after birth, but they usually won’t get lighter or more blue. 

So now lets talk about the importance of breast milk.  Immunoglobulin’s also called antibodies will help Alayna fight infections throughout her life.  Until now, these important proteins have been delivered to Alayna via the umbilical cord but will soon be provided through breast milk. Alayna’s digestive system has not fully developed in part because it has not yet begun processing food.  The first taste of the breast milk after birth will help Alayna’s digestion develop further. 

I would like to point out for anyone that is thinking about taking pregnancy classes the best class that my wife and I took was by far the breastfeeding class.  They provided the most information on breastfeeding topics especially for new mothers.  I highly suggest taking a breastfeeding class if you are thinking about breastfeeding.   

What Mom and Dad Notice: Alayna still continues to move around in there but she is running out of room.  We can feel her bone structure when you slide your hand across Maria’s belly.  Pretty soon that feeling will be outside of the womb.  We cannot wait to feel her soft skin and the smell of her newborn skin. 

Maria has been experiencing back pain and also hives now.  The hives are very uncomfortable for her and there really is nothing you can do for them except apply cold wash clothes or take a cold shower.  Her doctor stated that once Alayna is here the hives will start to fade away within a week or two.  I hope that he is correct!!!

This may be my last weekly update on the pregnancy front but there will be many updates once Alayna makes her entrance into the world.  A few people have said to me that our pregnancy went fast. Hmmmmm I think Maria and I would beg to differ on that one. Our journey through pregnancy was vey difficult and to sum it up was an emotional roller coaster.  There were days of extreme excitement and days of extreme sadness going through IVF.  IVF and infertility is by far the greatest challenge we have ever faced.  But we have almost made it to the day where we can hold our little miracle!!!

Now onto the update for our four legged son JJ.  We had our appointment this past Thursday with JJ’s surgeon who operated on him two years ago and everything went really well.  He examined JJ up and down his spine and there was no signs of pain when JJ was touched.  Plus JJ was off his pain medications for almost 24 hours which was what we planned to do before the visit.  We wanted to make sure that if he was still experiencing pain that the pain pills didn’t cover up any possible issue.  

After the surgeon physically examined JJ, he went and brought us the X rays that they took two years ago and the most recent one they did last week.  In the X rays the surgeon noted that nothing has changed from two years ago since his surgery.  He said that his issue is not related to his back.  THANK GOD!!!  As Maria said this was the best birthing gift she could receive.  No surgery or MRI is required for JJ.  In fact, the surgeon said to take him off all pain medications and to allow him to return to his normal activities.  JJ was most likely having discomfort from a possible pancreatitis or stomach ache.  You do not know how thrilled we are to hear that our little son is going to be ok and we can now just focus on Alayna’s arrival!!!!

I have said this before many times on my blog about infertility and IVF and how it’s such a roller coaster ride. Maria and I have a very special place in our hearts for anyone going through infertility or pregnancy issues and we pray for all of you everyday!!   Anyone who is going through infertility knows how cruel it really is.  Those of you who have never experienced infertility should really count your blessings but there are some really great stories and miracles that are happening. 

So this leads me to a fellow fibro (male cfer) of mine Jeremy and his wife Monica who have really exciting news that they announced through their blog.  Jeremy and Monica have recently went through IVF and are expecting twins!!!! I could not be more excited for the two of them as this IVF process is so emotional and stressful at times.  Jeremy and Monica documented their IVF journey through an outstanding video that I recommend anyone who is wondering what it is like to go through IVF.  I understand not everyone’s journey will be the same, but this is just a general documentation of what goes on during an IVF process.  

CONGRATULATIONS again Jeremy and Monica!!!

Check out Jeremy’s blog at http://jeremyparks.blogspot.com/

Here is their IVF video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmY-tBfZBm8

If the link to their video doesn’t work you can find the video on his blog on October 7, 2012.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!