Dear Denver

Dear Denver,

It is New Year's Eve. Exactly one year ago today I found out that you existed. It was the morning of December 31st, 2009, and your daddy was in Dallas helping Uncle Flu plan his proposal to your Aunt Erin. I woke up, took a pregnancy test (well, two tests, because I couldn't believe it), and then waited all day until your dad got home so I could tell him the news. We were pretty excited... can you tell?

The next morning, I woke up and we began documenting your journey. This is our first picture of you in my belly.

You were so tiny! I read that you were probably about as big as one of these...

That's just one grain of rice! When I look at you now, it is hard to believe that just one year ago you weren't even as big as your pinky finger. Now I think I understand why people say that life is a miracle.

You are growing into such a sweet boy. Just look at you now!

You have already brought so much joy and laughter into my life. And you're not even four months old. I can't wait to see what 2011 holds for us.

Love,

Mommy

A lot happens in nine months...

Isn't that crazy?! The first picture was taken on New Year's Day, the day after we found out we were pregnant. The second picture was taken today, August 28th. I'm just about 41 weeks pregnant. Obviously my clothes no longer fit, but I refuse to buy any more maternity clothes, so I just look foolish most of the time. :)

We'll be meeting this big baby any day now!

Can a baby really be born "late?"

Today is August 26th and our due date was August 22nd. This officially makes our baby four days "late." Or does it?

A friend of mine recently emailed me a devotional from her pastor in Kansas City, Dan Wolgemuth. I don't know this man. I've never been to his church or heard him preach, but I read what he wrote about his grandchild being past her due date, and it really encouraged me. Allow me to share...

"Today, August 20, 2010 is eleven full days after the due date of our daughter Alli’s first baby. She’s in labor as I type. Just yesterday I informed a friend that she was "over a week late." But I was awakened this morning to the reality that our Father’s watch never runs slow… that He’s never late for an appointment, that He never oversleeps or reacts too quickly or scrambles to get something done… time, every second of every day, every day of every month, is His. Babies are born in the fullness of time. The last breath of every creature is deployed in the fullness of time. God Himself stands at the end of the phrase… "when the fullness of time had come, GOD…"; just as He stands at the end of every moment in our journey. He’s not stuck in traffic. He didn’t misplace His watch. He hasn’t forgotten to adjust for daylight savings. His batteries are fresh. His wisdom is impeccable. In the fullness of time… at St. Anthony’s Hospital in west Denver… a baby will be born. Not eleven days late, but right on schedule. This reality extinguishes anxiety while it ignites hope. Yes, my fourth grandchild will be born right on their due date…" - Dan Wolgemuth

Many people lately have been asking me if and when we are going to induce labor. The more that Austin and I research babies and the birth process, the more I am surprised at how quick our culture is to induce labor. Due dates are an estimation. Calculating a due date is not an exact science. It is perfectly normal and healthy for a woman to carry her baby up to 14 days past her due date, yet when someone is just four days "overdue," everyone is wondering when we plan to induce. My answer is that we don't plan to induce. Now, there are always exceptions to the rule: if the baby is in distress, or the placenta is no longer nourishing the baby, or other health risks are involved, then I absolutely understand inducing labor. However, this is most often not the case when it comes to inducing labor in America. It is usually simply because a woman is a day or two overdue, so a doctor decides to put her into labor before her body does it naturally.

Does this mean that we might be waiting quite a while longer for this baby to be born? Yes. Austin and I are excited and willing to wait on the Lord and his perfect timing. This baby will not be born late. This baby will be born right on time.

"So how are you feeling?"

Family, friends, strangers... just about everyone who sees a woman who is nine-months-pregnant naturally asks "how are you feeling?" And I know that different people are implying different things with this question.

Some might mean, "How do you feel physically? Exhausted? Hot? Uncomfortable?" Others might mean, "Are you feeling ready for this baby? Is the nursery ready? Do you have your car seat figured out? Is the crib set up?" And some others may even be wondering "How are you feeling emotionally? Are you ready for the most enormous change in your life? How do you feel about going from a family of two to a family of three?"

So of course, I usually just answer, "fine."

Because to really dive into all the physical and emotional feelings that I'm experiencing would probably take a lot more time than the question-asker was anticipating.

So here is my real answer, to all those who want a little insight into the mind of someone who could have a baby any day now...

• Physically... I actually do feel pretty fine. I think I feel much more comfortable than many women at this point in pregnancy. No swelling, no achy muscles. Even the Texas heat (yes, it has been about 105 degrees every day this week) hasn't been too bad because I just stay in air conditioning all day. I try to exercise as often as I can, and the only time that I experience a lot of discomfort is when I walk for more than 20 minutes. My tailbone begins to hold all the weight of the baby, which is not a great feeling.
• Emotionally... Maybe you should ask my husband about this one. He may have a different answer than me. :) He has certainly had to deal with my emotions running a little out of control throughout the pregnancy. And now, as the due date approaches, I am more emotional than ever. Most days I am incredibly excited about the arrival of this baby. I can't wait to finally meet him/her. I want to see that little face, and finally know this person that is currently kicking me in the ribs. Yet to be honest, I also have worries. I think my biggest concern is how our family unit is going to change so drastically. I am very blessed to have a husband that I am deeply in love with. I love spending time with him, I love quiet evenings together, I love having time with just the two of us. And while I know that we can still have date nights, and we can still make each other a priority in our lives, things are bound to change. Having a baby means that the way we relate to each other will inevitably change somewhat. Over the last few months, I have probably spent more time in prayer over this issue than anything else. I pray for contentment in my circumstances, no matter what they bring. In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he states, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (phil. 4:11) I love that he specifically states that he has "learned" his contentment. It didn't necessarily come naturally. Motherhood may not come naturally. I pray that as I make this transition into a new stage in life, that God would help me learn contentment with my current circumstances; and that even though things with Austin won't ever be the same, perhaps they can be even better.

37 Weeks.... Almost there!

We officially reached week 37 of pregnancy! This is exciting because it means that the baby is now officially "full term." I can go into labor any time now, and the baby is no longer considered premature, however I do have three more weeks until my due date.

For the next three weeks, the baby continues to put on weight, and practices using its systems to prepare for life outside of the womb. The average baby at 37 weeks weighs about 6.5 pounds and is 19-20 inches long.

Austin and I are finally starting to feel more "ready" for the big day. We bought the car seat and practiced putting it in the car, the crib is assembled, and baby clothes have been washed. Next on my to-do list is packing my bag for the birth center (change of clothes, outfit for the baby, snacks, etc.)

Below are two pictures from our most recent sonogram (taken at 34 weeks). The sonographer said that everything looks great. The first one is a profile picture, and the second one is the baby with its mouth wide open (can you see the huge lips??)

Waiting patiently for Baby Hines...

all pictures by Elise Hines

My Journey with Food...

About a month ago, our midwife told us that she suspected I may have gestational diabetes. Over the course of two months, I had gained twice as much weight as I was supposed to gain. I was given strict instructions on my diet. Until we got this diabetes thing figured out, I was not allowed to eat any refined sugar or fried food, and very little carbs.

I went in for my first glucose test (where they make you drink something that tastes like super-sweet Gatorade and then take a blood sample). The results came back that my glucose levels were abnormally high, which meant that I had to take yet another blood test a few weeks later.

Meanwhile, I was still adhering to my strict diet. This meant that when friends were going to Starbucks, I couldn't order a decaf iced caramel latte (tons of sugar). No ice cream, cookies, wedding cake, Shirley Temples, or even Yoplait yogurt (filled with sugar). No grabbing a candy bar at Walgreens because I feel like it, or even having lemonade with dinner. When friends are going out to eat at an Italian restaurant, salad is pretty much the only option, because everything else is so high in carbs. All that to say... it has been a very challenging month. Probably one of the biggest lessons I've ever received in discipline and obedience.

Last week, I took my second glucose test. This one required me to drink the yucky Gatorade again, and have my blood drawn a total of four times over the course of three hours. I watched Stuart Little two and a half times while sitting in the waiting room. Super.

Two days ago I finally received some good news... I do NOT have gestational diabetes!! I am healthy, and the baby is healthy. We are very relieved.

The strange thing is, now that this diabetes thing is officially over, I'm glad it happened. It felt really good to be so healthy for an entire month. I've heard that it only takes 14 days to form a habit. I think that in the last 30 days, I have made it a habit to be much more conscientious about what I'm eating. Although I'm allowed to eat more like a normal person again, I'm pretty sure I'm going to remain on my "diabetes diet." It is awesome how sweet fruit can taste when you haven't had any sugar in weeks. Pineapple and strawberries seem to be my new favorite foods.

I know that God is sovereign and that he has had a plan for this pregnancy and this baby from the beginning. It is just interesting to see how it is playing out somewhat differently than I might have planned it, yet so much better.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:7

Third Trimester :)

I am officially into the 3^rd trimester of the pregnancy! That means that the baby is due in just three months. One of the most common questions that we are asked now is if the nursery is ready. The answer is… we haven’t even started! I have two more weeks of work, and the plan is to get to work on nursery things this summer. However, we did buy a crib. It is still sitting in its box in the garage though. As we begin to progress on the nursery, I’ll post pics. Promise.

At 27 weeks pregnant, these are some updates on baby Hines...

• Weighs a little more than 2 lbs.
• Total length (from head to toe) is about 15 ¼ inches
• Eyelids have been fused shut since week 12 of pregnancy, but they start to open this week. The retina is starting to receive light, so the baby is using his/her eyesight for the first time
• I am finally feeling the baby move A LOT.
• The baby has more taste buds now than he or she will have at birth (or ever)

This is a current picture of me. And yes, I'm sure I'm not having twins.

Take a look at our baby...

Everything looks good on the sonogram. The baby's heart and kidneys are functioning the way they should be. The sonographer said that she estimates the baby's due date to be Sept. 2, which is 11 days after the current due date we're using. Basically, when August roles around we should have a better idea of when this baby is really coming.

She also explained that I have an anterior placenta (my placenta is attached to the front of my uterus instead of the back.) This is not a health concern right now. It just helps explain why I haven't been feeling the baby kick. The placement of the placenta is providing extra padding, but in a few weeks, when the baby is even bigger and stronger, I should be feeling lots of movement.

21 week update

I am 21 weeks pregnant, which means I am more than halfway there! A few updates on me and baby:

• baby is about 7 inches long (length of a banana)
• baby weighs between 10 and 11 ounces (not quite a pound)
• I have had numerous women tell me that I am "pretty big" or "huge" or something of that nature for only being 21 weeks. How lovely. However, when our midwife measured me at 19 weeks, she said the size of my belly was 19 centimeters (exactly on mark!) So take that everyone who thinks I'm "probably having twins."
• the baby begins to start swallowing amniotic fluid around week 21, so it becomes increasingly important to eat the right foods. If I eat a salad, the baby eats salad. If I eat an entire box of sour watermelon candies, well... you get the picture.
• the baby's heartbeat is getting stronger and we should be able to hear it soon using just a stethoscope
• the pretty green shirt in this picture was a surprise gift that my mom and sister mailed to me from St. Louis. I've already received lots of compliments. Thanks mom and Colleen!

One of these things is not like the other...

Now, I've heard people say that you can start to lose your mind when you're pregnant. I'm not sure if I buy into that idea or not. After eating breakfast this morning, I came into the kitchen to clean my dishes. To my surprise, the juice was not in the fridge. No, it was sitting with the glassware.Maybe I would've done this even if I wasn't pregnant. But isn't it a lot more fun to blame it on the baby?

15 weeks and counting...

We had our 15 week checkup today with our midwife. It was the second time we got to hear our baby's heartbeat. Pretty awesome. Here are a few updates:

• The baby is about 4 inches long (or the size of a softball) and weighs around 2.4 oz.
• My belly is definitely growing! I'm sure it won't be long until I need to be wearing strictly maternity clothes. But for now, my "normal" clothes are still holding up.
• I have lots more energy than I did a couple of weeks ago. I don't feel the need to nap every day after work, which is nice.
• I've been ultra-sensitive to smells: spicy smelling foods, school cafeteria food, and even the smell of the dishwasher running can make my eyes water. Austin thinks it's hilarious.
• No weird cravings yet! Just the normal things, like mozzarella sticks. If I ever start craving mozzarella sticks dipped in ice cream, I will let you know.

We will have our first sonogram done at 22 weeks. So in seven more weeks, we will get to SEE this baby for the first time. That is normally when people find out if they are having a boy or a girl, but Austin and I have decided that we are going to wait. We won't know the baby's gender until he/she is born. This is making some people a bit hostile, but I'm pretty sure we're going to stick with our decision. :) Until next time!

Growing baby

Baby is certainly growing quickly. The first picture was taken on New Year's day The second picture was taken Feb. 8 at 12 weeks pregnant. That's right. As of today, I am 12 weeks and 1 day pregnant, which means I have officially entered the second trimester!

I still haven't battled the dreaded morning sickness. I've had a few bouts of nausea, and plenty of exhaustion. But that is all supposed to subside during the 2nd trimester.

There will be plenty more belly pics to come!

We're having a baby!

On New Year's Eve, Austin and I found out that we are having our first baby. What a way to ring in the new year! We hope that this blog can be a fun way for everyone to keep up with us as we journey through this pregnancy and having our first child.

This is us telling Fable that he is going to be a big brother. We were 5 minutes away from heading out the door to celebrate New Year's with friends. Fable isn't sure how to take the news.