Tag Archives: movement

escape fire

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have you heard of this yet? 

if not, then let me be the first to pass along the link and some info about a new documentary called escape fire.

learn about the issues here

check out the trailer here

go watch the movie at a theater near you

and get fired up!

ESCAPE FIRE examines the powerful forces maintaining the status quo, a medical industry designed for quick fixes rather than prevention, for profit-driven care rather than patient-driven care. after decades of resistance, a movement to bring innovative high-touch, low-cost methods of prevention and healing into our high-tech, costly system is finally gaining ground. this film follows dramatic human stories as well as leaders fighting to transform healthcare at the highest levels of medicine, industry, government, and even the US military. ESCAPE FIRE is about finding a way out. it’s about saving the health of a nation.

escapefiremovie.com

dear peanut

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you will be wearing that sweet little onesie oh so soon!

well hello.  guess what?  i got to hear your heartbeat again a few days ago.  it was as wonderful as ever.  and, it was wooshing away at a nice, strong pace.  good work.  all is well in there as far as the doctor can tell.  you are growing and seem healthy and strong.  that sweet doctor of mine made a note in my file that my “belly was measuring on the smaller side” so that i could have a medically justifiable excuse to see you again on an ultrasound!  that means that at my next appointment, your papa and i will get to see your little face again…one more time before we get to see it in person. wahoo!  it will have been almost 17 weeks since we’ve seen you.  and that is much too long.  in a short while, we will be so spoiled by getting to see you ALL THE TIME.  happy day.

sweet little peanut, we love you so much. we have been thinking about you and praying for you and reading Bible stories to you.  you will be here with us so soon and we can’t wait to get to know you.  we have so much to learn about you.  we have so much to learn about us.  we have so much ahead of us as we begin to understand what it means to be parents and what it means to be a family of three.

love, your mama + your papa

dear peanut

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hello, little miss.  i hope that all is well inside the bump.  i know that you are getting bigger and bigger and stronger and stronger.  you have been kicking up a storm!  i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  a lovely, bright, sparkling light.

speaking of light…your tiny little chandelier lamp has arrived and been placed in your room.  it is small and a teeny bit glitzy.  perfect for twinkling and casting warm shadows on the wall during our late night feedings.  it is our new favorite.

guess what?  starbucks pumpkin spice lattes are officially on the menu now!  and that means that fall is on the horizon and october is right around the corner.  october means that you will be here soon.  i love the fall.  and now, i have another pretty big reason to like that time of year.  and while it is still warm outside, i know that we are getting close to sweaters and boots and hot chocolate and pumpkin pie and turkey.  it is so much fun to think about all the wonderful things that we will get to experience together.  you will be here for thanksgiving this year!  we will get to wheel you around in your stroller while the whole family shops for christmas gifts.  you will get to watch all of our christmas movie favorites with us.  you will have your own little ornament on the tree.  and that is just the beginning, sweet girl.  aren’t we just going to have the funnest times?  i think so.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

30 weeks

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cravings & such:  this was a pretty bad week, i must admit.  in an effort to get more calcium in my diet,  i kinda gave myself license to indulge in much too much ice cream.  oops.  i think i just needed to get that out of my system.  check!  i did somewhat counteract those actions by consuming a few green smoothies.  my recipe of choice is: spinach, spirulina, pineapple, peaches, blueberries, almond milk, flax powder, and whey protein.  elinor LOVES these, by the way.  what a good little girl.  and, spinach contains calcium and iron which are preggo musts.  i am not a huge raw spinach fan so this is a sneaky way to consume those leafy greens.  here’s to more smoothies and fewer pints of ice cream!  i will keep you posted…

the bump:  i am sure that it has doubled in the past week.  or, at least it feels that way.  and she still has four or more pounds to go!

cool & cute things:  baby’s eyesight continues to develop, though it is not very keen.  even after birth, she will keep those peepers closed for a good part of the day.  she will respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision and only make out objects a few inches from her face.  looks like it will be a few months before she can truly grasp the cuteness that is her room.  i suppose i can hold off on buying that mobile for a few more months…

new things:  little miss is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds.  a pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds baby girl but that volume will decrease as baby gets bigger and takes up more room.  things are about to get crowded… 

meaningful moments:  spending time in e’s room with charlie and coco.  letting them explore and get comfortable with things.  they like to stand on their hind legs and peer between the rails of the crib.  their little noses just sniffing like crazy.  pretty cute.  and, they both hopped up in my lap while i was test-driving the new rocking chair.  they are my furry little babies, for sure.

the countdown:  70 days!  folks, that is really close to 60 days…which will mean two months to go!  goodness gracious.

current size:  a cabbage

dear peanut

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hello, miss elinor.  i hope you are continuing to enjoy your stay in belly-land.  things are going swimmingly out in the big world.  your papa and i have been busy bees getting your room ready, reading books, making lists, meeting with pediatricians, and preparing your birth plan.  there is much to do before your arrival…but, it is all so much fun!  and, all of these new activities sure do help the weeks to pass by quickly.  can you believe that we are getting close to the 30 week mark?  that means that you will be here super soon.  how i wish we could just fast forward to your arrival.  then, hit the pause button and just savor our first moments with you.  we are so excited to experience all of the new things that you will bring to our life.  we pray that God will help us to slow down and enjoy those moments.  they will be special.

speaking of special…i just want to gush a bit about how wonderful your papa is.  he has been putting together your furniture, painting walls, lifting heavy objects for me [he recently informed me that the laundry basket is technically classified as a "heavy" item and that i should let him handle that], taking care of me, cooking for me, reading books about birthing [he is a trooper, let me tell you.  there are some bizarre terms and foreign objects on those pages], and doting on you.  the other night, i was rubbing my belly button trying to get you to wiggle for him.  he told me “oh, no, nevermind, it’s okay…don’t poke her little brain”.  it was pretty darn cute.  inaccurate, but cute, nonetheless.  he is already so attentive and sweet.  i think he is pretty smitten with you.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

29 weeks

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cravings & such:  yes, the cheese love is still happening.  and i have really been wanting cold things which is more of a necessity in this hideous summer heat than a craving.  but i have been sucking back the nutrient-loaded smoothies whenever possible.

the bump:  i think it has become a bit more obvious.  i had my first “point and clap” the other day from a sweet older lady in our church.  she saw me standing at the back of the church and enthusiastically pointed at my belly, clapped her hands, and mouthed “congratulations”.  so, it’s official.  i am noticeably a preggo.

cool & cute things:  muscles and lungs are continuing to mature and baby’s head is growing bigger to make room for her developing brain.  okay, while i want you to have a big, strong, awesome brain for storing lots of words and smarts…please, please do not have a giant head.  have you seen your papa’s noggin?  it is serious.  and while we are on the subject of genetic traits, i just want you to know that these are the things that keep me up at night.  thoughts of a giant-headed, broad-shouldered, strong-chinned, monster-calfed baby, strong-willed, mischievous baby. 

new things:  miss elinor weighs about 2.5 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel.  this trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in baby’s hardening skeleton each day.  keep the cheese and yogurt coming!

meaningful moments:  buying the rocking chair!  oh, the hours that we will spend together in that little corner of your room.  can’t wait.

the countdown:  77 days!

current size:  a butternut squash

dear peanut

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oh, baby girl.  your room is just so darn cute!  you have gold polka dots on your wall!  your papa has lovingly assembled your furniture to ensure that you have a place to sleep and a place to organize all your teeny-tiny clothes.  we are having a blast preparing for your arrival.  and, we have had so many kind words and offers to help from friends and family.  you sure are loved.

your furry siblings, charlie and coco have been hanging out in your room too.  coco has been “helping” us with the polka dots.  i would get one placed and then she would try to snatch it off the wall and nibble on it.  she really likes those golden circles of yours.  charlie…oh charlie…well, he just knows that something is up.  he has noticed that we are spending more time in your room and he knows that it isn’t for him.  there has been a lot of paw-stomping and grumbling from that one.  but don’t worry, i know that he will adore you and love to cuddle with you once he finally meets you in person.  he just needs some time to adjust to the idea.

in other news, we successfully survived the glucose test!  wahoo!  as you know, it was gross and it was waaaayyy too much sugar.  sorry about that.  but, we got through it and can just settle in and enjoy the final weeks together, gestational diabetes free.  i have another appointment to check in on you in a few weeks.  then, we are scheduled for every two weeks until your arrival.  wow.  time is just flying by.  and i am just itching for the fall to arrive.  we can’t wait to meet you soon.

 

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

27 weeks

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cravings & such:  still loving cheese.  and yes, the weekly ”cheese plate for dinner night” idea is going strong.  no complaints here.  i also down a bowl per day of cultured coconut milk greek-style yogurt with mounds of gluten-free, fiber-and-flax-full granola.  yum.

oohh, i haven’t had a burger in a few weeks. 

that needs to happen soon. 

is anyone else hungry?

the bump:  growing and growing.  baby girl is playing my belly like a drum these days!  my sweet little ringo.  and, when she does flips in there, the bump changes shape completely.  sometimes, i can even make out her head.  and it is one cute head, let me tell you.

cool & cute things:  baby girl is sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking on her fingers.  oh, those tiny fingers!  i can’t wait…

new things:  baby weighs almost two pounds and is about 14.5 inches long with her legs fully extended.  her brain tissue is rapidly developing and her brain is very active now.  the lungs are still immature but they would be capable of functioning – with a lot of medical assistance – if she were to be born now.

meaningful moments:  assembling a crib!  we have a crib here, people.  a crib.  oh yes, and how could i forget the consumption of the ever-so-scrumptious bright orange liquid for my glucose test this week.  horrible stuff.  you’d think that a sugary concoction would taste somewhat decent.  nope.  gross.

the countdown:  91 days.  three months away!

current size: a cauliflower

dear peanut

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hi baby girl.  three. more. months.  i cannot believe it.  you are going to be here so soon!  we are in the homestretch, little one.  and speaking of stretch…you are definitely growing and stretching more these days [and so is my tummy skin].  i can feel your movements more and more.  sometimes you give me a surprise karate kick or somersault that makes me want to giggle.  it is so strange and wonderful to feel you moving around in there.  i’m sure you are just anxious to come out and meet everyone.

you must be sensing our increasing excitement.  the decorating has begun.  paint is on the wall.  drapes are up.  your crib arrives this week.  your dresser too.  we even have some tiny outfits that are ready to be placed in the drawers.  things are coming together.  and we are thrilled.  your papa and i are having a blast putting all of the bits and pieces in place.  and i am enjoying all the planning and list making that i get to do.  we are collecting books and prints and pillows and knickknacks.  you are our new favorite thing to shop for.  even when we were out shopping on my birthday, i found myself wandering into a baby clothing store to pick up tiny sweaters and socks for you.  AND, we still have baby showers to come!  the planning for those has started and i am feeling so overwhelmed by the outpouring of blessings, prayers, and encouragement.  you have so many people who want to be a part of welcoming you to the world.  know that you are loved by many, little girl.

what a great time.  thank you for all of the memories and meaning and love that you have brought to our lives already.  soli Deo gloria.

all our love to you, little peanut.

love, your mama + your papa

26 weeks

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cravings & such:  nope.  still boring.  i am going to have to start faking cravings just so i can give hubby a thrill.  we have started a new weekly cheese plate dinner, though.  i think that should count for something…

the bump:  getting bigger and itching like crazy as my skin works to accommodate the growing baby.  the bellybutton hasn’t popped out but i am sure it could happen any day.

cool & cute things:  baby girl continues to put on fat.  come on…cute little leg chubs!  she now weighs 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches from head to heel.  knowing our combined family genes, i would be shocked if she were to grow much taller than that in the next few months. 

new things:  baby is inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid.  these breathing movements help to develop the lungs and are good practice for her first gulp of air.  the network of nerves in baby’s ears is better developed and more sensitive.  she may now be able to hear both my voice AND ben’s voice as we chat with each other.

meaningful moments:  painting her room.  buying her outfits.  NESTING.  NESTING.  NESTING.  her kicking show for papa that he was able to watch as my belly moved.

the countdown:  98 days to go!  we are into the double digits, people.  we are also nearing the three month mark.  [cut to rachel doing the happy dance]

current size: length of an english hothouse cucumber