Today marks 30 days of life for our little one. :) That means 6 1/2 weeks gestational age for those who are following the ticker at the bottom of this page – doctor’s can’t esitmate the date of conception so they count from the first day of the last period. By now baby’s little heart is pumping blood through his/her whole body and other major organs are formed, including little eyes and a hard working brain. 5 fingers and toes are most likely distinguishable at this point though they aren’t in proportion to the rest of the body. It will all happen fast after this – baby will be a thumb-sucker in just a week or so. :) :) :)
Pregnancy is wonderful so far. My only “symptoms” have been a little fatigue and a um… redistribution of my weight that is really quite favorable. :) We’ve taken our first pregnancy pictures and plan on sharing the progression with all of you as soon as there’s something to share.
Our minds are swarming with the preparations we need to make as well as general ponderings on how life will start to change now. I am thankfull that we started talking a long time ago about most pregnancy and parenting related issues that will affect us immediately. We know, for instance, that we are committed to as little medical intervention as possible with this pregnancy. God created my body for this and He’s a pretty smart guy. While I am very very glad that there have been so many life-saving advances in obstetrical medicine, Rob and I both agree that pregnancy is not a “condition” or an illness that necessarily needs “treatment.” We will absolutely seek medical help if we encounter something that we don’t feel like we can handle with the help of generally knowledgeable people and the resources available through our own research, but otherwise we’re going to just enjoy this beautiful process as it comes naturally and make sure that I’m doing everything I can to give my baby the best odds at a healthy future.
Our immediate to do list includes:
*Finding a good midwife
*Making a tentative decision about where we’d like to deliver (home or in a birthing center)
*Beginning to attend breastfeeding support meetings at La Leche League
*Looking into me taking some classes to become certified to teach natural birth control and possibly become a doula (labor support person) in the near future for some extra income and flexible hours
*Doing more research on immunizations and circumcision
I’ve already started making a baby registry because it’s too hard to resist all the cute little items even though we don’t need to worry about that for a LONG time. I also want to start knitting or sewing something for baby though I haven’t decided what. I might start making some diaper covers soon. I’m also reading an awesome parenting book called Shepherding A Child’s Heart.
Even with all of that to report I don’t quite feel like I am really pregnant. I might just end up being one of those girls who isn’t very affected until she gets a baby bump. I suppose that’s something to be thankful for! One more thing in a long list of blessings. :)
