Well, I have not seen an end in sight yet *sigh* Some days are good, some are bad.  Today is just bad.  I wish I could have stayed in bed all day.  Even more, I wish I could eat something more than cereal and bagels!

Week 13

Your Baby’s Development

It’s still fairly early in your pregnancy, but Baby is already capable of quite a lot! If you poke your stomach gently with your finger, she may begin to turn her head toward you; some experts think this may be the beginning of the rooting reflex (looking for a nipple). By now she can put a thumb in her mouth, although her sucking muscles aren’t completely developed yet. And female infants have already accumulated about two million eggs in their ovaries, although this number will naturally drop to one million at birth.

Your baby’s head growth has slowed down; this week, her head makes up about half her body length. By week 21, her head will be about a third the size of her body, and by birth it will only be about a fourth. The fetus, which is now about three inches long and a little more than an ounce in weight, would now fit into your cupped hands.

Here’s what else you can expect this week:

• Tiny ribs will be developing.
• Vocal cords will begin forming.
• Baby’s eyelids will fuse together to protect her delicate eyes.
• Tissues and organs will continue to mature.
• Bone marrow, liver and spleen will be able to produce blood cells now.
• Fingerprints are beginning to form.

I am sorry for the lack of pictures lately.  I have been in a photography slump lately!  I will try to get some soon!

The Wedding pictures are here!

1.)     Go to www.reecephotography.com

2.)     Click on Web Gallery

3.)     Use the code estahl

Our 1st appointment with Dr. Bowen was awesome.  I was so happy when he was talking, I almost cried.  He wants and practices everything that we want for our birth, and I even said to him, “I am so glad I found you.”  He is so worth the 45 minute drive.

 It took him a while to find the heartbeat, thanks to my posterior uterus, and I didn’t even panic!  The heartbeat was 160, so start your guesses now!  Don’t ask me what I think yet, I have NO instincts yet.  Our next appointment is September 18th, which means our anatomy ultrasound should be the week of October 13th.

I have MANY reasons that I do not want to have a repeat C-Section with this baby.  Many of my family and friends do not understand, so I am going to do my best to educate from my point of view.  By no means could I state all the facts and reasoning here, but I just would like everyone to know that I have done the research, and a cesarean is NOT safe for mom or baby.  It is safer to have a VBAC than a repeat C-Section, must to the disbelief of most Americans.  I find it sad that most expectant parents put more research into a stroller and a diaper bag than their own births I will admit that I was one of those moms, but I have learned from my mistakes and I am doing my best to educate those around me.

The US C-Section rate is 31.1%! Unbelievable considering the WHO (World Health Organization) states that there should be NO reason that any country should have a rate higher than 10-15%.  The C-Section rate in the US has DOUBLED in the past decade!

The US is the top of the heap for many things, but safety in giving birth isn’t one of them. We rank number 41st in the world for maternal mortality.  Can you believe that there are 40 countries where it is SAFER to give birth than in the US????

A cesarean section poses documented medical risks to the mother’s health, including infections, hemorrhage, transfusion, injury to other organs, anesthesia complications, psychological complications, and a maternal mortality two to four times greater than that for a vaginal birth.

An elective cesarean section increases the risk to the infant of premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome, both of which are associated with multiple complications, intensive care and burdensome financial costs. Even mature babies, the absences of labor increases the risk of breathing problems and other complications. Did you know that Brayden required oxygen when he was born?  And they didn’t even tell me until his first Dr. appt!  Lack of oxygen to a newborn immediately after birth can cause SERIOUS issues.

The “once a cesarean, always a cesarean rule is outdated now that most of uterine incisions are low and horizontal and the risk of rupture of the old scar is almost nonexistent. A review of all VBAC literature from 1985-1990 found a rupture rate of 0.22% for low transverse scars in 22,000 planned labors after cesarean. (In developed nations the rupture rate was 0.18%.) By comparison, the incidence of other childbirth emergencies, such as prolapsed cord, placental separation, or sudden fetal distress is 1-3%.

Did you know that 90% of all C-Sections in the US are performed around 4pm and 10pm?  Hmmmm, wonder why?  Hospitals are a BUSINESS, they are there to turn beds.  Once you hit that 7 hour of labor mark (like I did) they start telling you your fetus is in distress and you are not progressing in the right amount of time (does everyone labor for the same amount of time???) And pressure you into a C-Section.

 A C-Section birth costs twice as much as a natural birth.

 It all comes down to the fact that child birth is a NATURAL part of life.  Babies are not meant to be induced for delivery, or be delivered via C-Section.  I DO understand that there are times where a C-Section is necessary for both mom and/or baby, but not 31%!  The baby will arrive when the baby is good and ready.  Not every baby cooks to 40 weeks exactly, just like not EVERY woman ovulates on day 14 *rolling eyes at my reproduction specialist right now*

I highly encourage you to check out http://www.ican-online.org/ (International Cesarean Network) and to watch Ricki Lake’s documentary http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ - this can be watched online.

OBGYN’s, especially in the Cincinnati area, will not allow VBACs because they are afraid of being sued, for obviously no (or a less than 1%) reason.  Luckily, I have found a wonderful doctor who will allow this, and yes, I will be delivering in Ohio. 

Off my soapbox for today.

Well, we made it!  Week 12 is usually the week that most pregnant women let out a big sigh whether they are feeling better or not.  We have a appointment with our new doctor on Wednesday, Dr. Bowen.   He comes VERY highly recommended for natural births, something practically unheard of in Cincinnati :(  Our goal for this birth is called a VBAC (Vaginal birth after Cesearan).  You will probably be hearing much more about this from me here in the coming months.

Week 12

Your Baby’s Development

By week 12, your baby has a profile, complete with a little chin and a tiny nose. Inside the mouth, folded tissues join to form the palate, or roof of the mouth, which separates the oral and nasal cavities. Baby continues to grow and is now about three inches long.

Some other fascinating things will happen in the twelfth week:

• The circulatory system will begin functioning.
• Amniotic fluid will build up as the baby’s kidneys begin to produce and excrete urine into the fluid.
• Baby’s pancreas will begin to produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
• Baby’s liver will start to secrete bile, a thick greenish fluid stored in the gall bladder that helps the body digest fats.
• The muscles in the intestinal walls will begin to practice contractions. Basically, Baby is “practicing” the digestive processes that will begin once she is born.
• The brain’s basic structure is intact by the end of the week, and brain mass is growing all the time.
• The pituitary gland will begin to produce hormones.
• Soft, non-pigmented hair (believed to protect Baby’s skin before birth) will begin to appear on Baby’s body. Most of this hair, called lanugo, will disappear soon after Baby is born. 

* B and I are obsessed with the Olympics.  So much so that he has thrown a ROYAL fit at bedtime every night this week because he would rather stay up and watch swimming and gymnastics!  He got upset the other night when the “boys” were on.  He wanted to watch “girls gymnastics“.  We laid there watching the boys, and I kept asking him if he could do anything they were doing.  He kept laughing and saying no - then all of a sudden he said “I can do this Mommy!” and flung his arms in the air in a V and screamed “tada!”

* I was working from home on Monday.  When he got home later that night, B brought in his little play laptop (the most annoying toy ever, thanks Aunt Erin!) sat next to me, and said “I am going to check my e-mail, ok Mom?” Definitely proof that Nate and I work from home too much!

* Last night we were watching synchronized diving and sharing a popsicle.  I had asked him to stop jumping on my stomach everytime he wanted a bite, so he bent down and kissed my belly.  I asked him if there was a boy or girl in there, and he said “girl” (his usual response).  I asked him what her name was and he said “sister“!  Ha!

This is the fun stuff that has been happening in between the toddler tantrums this week.  Grrrr….  How do you teach a toddler that he needs to listen?

 Where, oh where did my baby go?

They say when you hit your second trimester you will get your energy back and begin to feel much better - send a prayer my way that it’s true!

I had a family wedding shower to go to yesterday, and asked BBMan if he wanted to come with me.  As he comes downstairs in Daddy’s hat and mismatched clothing on, he says “OH No Mom, I am doin’ MAN things - I need my hammer“.  Instead of going to a party, he wanted to go to Ben’s house and help Daddy :(  He just looks TOO old.

Is she EVER going to stop taking pictures of me?!?!

But, alas, this was later last night - he is still my baby

Happy 27th Birthday to my bestest friend in the whole world!  We love you!  8:00am this morning, Brayden said “Let’s go to TT’s house and see her“.  I don’t think she would have appreciated that!

This is the only recent picture I have of her!  Think I can talk her into a maternity session?

We went to Cumberland this weekend with Nate’s family.  The weather was hot, and I was sick all weekend :(  But it was still beautiful, and fun for everyone else!

“Hey Walkie Talkie” We heard this at least 20 times a day!

B got a rash on his legs from being wet all day on Saturday, so we let him run around naked all day on Sunday.

Having fun in the tube, right before he pooped in it!

See how low the lake is?

My men

And what would be a Wolff vacation without a fire, a bottle of Tanqueray, and a few homemade flotation devices?

The most peaceful part of the day

Click here to see more!

Contrary to popular belief, the information below is NOT written by me.  So no, I am not calling the baby a he or a she, the website is.  Take it up with them

A few people wanted me to post belly pictures here.  I will not, sorry!  You will have to deal with these instead.  And if Nate wants to get behind the camera and actually take a picture of me for a change, you might get lucky to see some progress if you don’t see me on a normal basis.  (Except of course for you, Dad.  Maybe you will get one every 2 weeks or so )

Your pregnancy: 10 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby’s growing:

Though he’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, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He’s swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his 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 your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your 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: Your baby’s limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby’s forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he’s about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

I am a bad Godmother. I finally got around to taking Blake’s 1 year pictures, only 2 months late :(  But at least they got taken!  Look at how big he is getting!

Click on the picture to see more

Poor Chesney - remember this post from last year?

Well, as you can see from some pictures taken last month, his hair did grow back.  But then came the summer, and we just couldn’t take it anymore.  It was weighing him down and he was shedding like mad, so I actually ASKED them to shave him this time, expected to get what we got above.

Well…..

B calls him “Nakey Boo Boo” - and you can tell that the poor dog is still embarrassed.  The groomer said that they filled up 2 ShopVacs with his hair. Poor Chesney - he needs to have a pep talk with his hair so he can avoid these grooming massacres in the future.

The top picture is from the 6.5 week ultrasound, and the bottom is the 8.5 week ultrasound. 

Week 9

Your Baby’s Development

Week nine heralds the onset of a critical stage when your baby’s muscles, nerves and organs are forming. Baby’s now grown to about peapod size, and weighs a little less than half an ounce. She’ll move away if you press against the uterine wall when you touch your belly, but you won’t be able to feel her moving for several more weeks.

While Baby’s developing quickly, it’s still almost impossible to tell on ultrasound whether you’re going to have a boy or a girl, although genitals are beginning to develop.

By week nine, she’s also:

• Growing by leaps and bounds. Her head is now quite large compared to the rest of her body, and curves onto her chest. Baby’s arms have grown, her hands are now flexed at the wrists, and her legs are lengthening. Her feet may be long enough to meet in front of the body.
• Developing clearly visible fingers and toes.
• Continuing to develop her digestive system.
• Developing eyelids that are beginning to cover the eyes and fuse together (Baby’s eyes won’t open until about week 27).
• Completing development of the inner and external ears.
• Experiencing the first nerve connections in the brain, although she’s far from being conscious.

That is right, we are expecting #2 and couldn’t be more happy!!!!  It has been a long and emotional road, but we kept our faith, and we are so excited to be adding to our family.  Due on Nate’s birthday too!

And today is the 1 year anniversary of the day I started this blog, so I decided to give it a little facelift in addition to our big announcement, whatcha think?  And a big thanks to Paul for making it happen!!!