12 weeks and almost 16 months

12 weeks and 16 months

I am now officially 12 weeks along with Cutie #2.  I have a bit of a belly now, but I’m not sure it is clearly a baby yet.  I have been very tired this pregnancy.  However, in the last few days that has gotten a lot better.  My back has started hurting some now, so I am having to try not to carry Rose as much. There has been very little nausea this time.  Things have gone quite smoothly.  We pray for you every day several times Cutie #2! We do not have a name for you quite yet.  I’m sure it will come soon after we find out if you are a girl or boy in May.

Rose, you are growing so fast! Your Ummichi and Uppachen came to town on Monday.  Your daddy got you a new princess toilet that sings when you go potty in it.  Yesterday (3-24) you actually went pee and poop in it! I can’t believe you are patient enough to sit there for a little while at only 16 months.  You have started trying to talk a lot more.  You say “oh wow” quite clearly, and “hi”.  You started singing what was almost distinguishable as “twinkle twinkle little star” last night, with some of the hand motions we have done a few times at story time.  It is so sweet how you like to sing.  You still love to be carried.  But, I have been trying to just lead you by the hand to a chair to hold you there or some other distraction.  You are quite needy in the evenings and mornings sometimes.  You constantly want to be held by me.

Health

Your health is quite good.  Your do not have as much of a runny nose right now as you have.  You definitely still have asthma, but it is not quite as bad.  We stopped doing your nightly breathing treatments about a month ago.  Then a week or two later your cough came back.  But, we decided to let it go and see how you do.  You do not wake up during the night coughing at all, so we have decided to not start back on them yet.  We do have a humidifier/purifier/heater in your room going at night always. 

Activities

We have been enjoying going to the park when it is warm.  It is two blocks from our new house.  You are very good now at crawling up the stairs, and you will ride down any of the slides with me.  You also like to go in the swing.

Eating

You are now very comfortable with your Nubie sippy cups.  We use the slow setting still so you have to suck to get milk/drinks out.  You still can drink a whole cup quite quickly. So, we do not expect to change that soon.  You do not quite eat everything that we do.  But you have a pretty good diet.  On the weekends we have toast with pumpkin butter and fruit in the mornings.  You love bananas, peaches, and pears.  I try to get you to eat some veggies and protein at lunch and dinner.  You will often chew, but not always swallow, cauliflower.  You will eat rice and beans quite well.

I feel so privileged to be your mommy Rose! You are a lovely and sweet little girl, and I can’t wait to see the person that you become.  We pray you will be a good and godly person.  We pray for your future spouse if that is your vocation.

Pains - 27 weeks - almost 7 months

Dear Baby Rose,

It has been so much fun to feel you move lately.  You certainly have some days that are more active than others.  Your movements feel like little involuntary movements in my tummy, kind of like an extra heard beat that happens randomly.

Pain

I hate you complain, because you are such a blessing, but I would like an accurate record so that if you are ever blessed with a little sibling I will know what was happening when! In the last few days I have started having quite the aching back.  For the last several weeks I have had pain in some of my upper ribs.  I wonder if that means you are in there pushing out!

Weight

As of Friday by weight gain was back in the normal range! I am so glad.  I have been trying to walk 3 miles at least 2 - 3 times a week, and not eat dinner if I am not hungry.  As of Friday my weight was 145.  That is is approximately 22 pounds of weight gain at 27 weeks along.

Thirst

I have been so thirsty lately! Since I got pregnant I usually have a cup of ice water with me.  I usually do pretty well drinking it.  Even with that water intake, the last few days I have woken up so thirsty and even with a headache!  I really hope that does not mean that I might have gestational diabetes.  I have that test coming up on Tuesday of this week.

Your nursery is all ready for you! We have started buying diapers for you.  Your Daddy is so funny.  We have 500 size 1 diapers, some size 3 diapers, but NO newborn or size two diapers! He thought there was enough of an overlap on sizing that we did not need those ones.

We have also been working on scheduling with your Auntie and Uncle for events we have coming up in November/December.  I can't wait for you to be here! Less than 3 months now.

Love you,

Mommy

Movement at 6.5 months

Dear Baby Rose,

I can feel you moving a lot more now! You are active in the mornings, just before I get out of bed.  I can often feel you in the morning and afternoon while I am working.  The movements do not hurt at all.  They are just little jolts and flutters.  Your Daddy still hasn't felt them.  I think his hands aren't as sensitive.  I hope that as you get bigger he will be able to! Although, I know at that point your kicks and movement might be a bit more uncomfortable for me!

I have still been able to walk on the treadmill several times a week.

I am 26 weeks along now! That is 6.5 months.  It's hard to believe you have been with me that long.  At the same time, it seems like a long time.

I have been finding many cute little outfits for you at garage sales lately.  They are so much cheaper than at the stores, and still in perfect shape! You have quite a lot of clothes all ready!  We also have some diapers for you.  We have size 1 and size 3.  Daddy is betting that you won't need size 2 because there is quite a bit of overlap!

I put up some very cute decals in your room of giraffes, elephants, and a tree that we will use to measure how tall you are!

We are still praying for family and friends quite a bit.  Your Auntie Shea in Ireland has been in the hospital for a few weeks now.  She is leaking amniotic fluid.  Her baby seems to be making more, but they have to monitor her and the baby very carefully to be sure an infection does not develop and that the baby is growing well.

I found this post about how small your tummy will be when you are born! No wonder you will need to eat every 2 hours in the beginning!














We love you baby Rose!

- Mommy

Eight Months Old This Time Next Year

Hi Baby Rose!

You are moving around a lot more now.  I can feel you quite often during my day.  Your kicks are getting a bit harder.  They still are not super obvious from the outside.  But I love the constant reminders that you are in there.

I have been reading up on what life will be like for us this time next year! You will be eight months old on July 15th.  You will be crawling around, and picking things up with two fingers.  We will be giving you "O" shaped cereal and other chunks of food.  If we are able to get breastfeeding going you might still be doing that several times a day.  You should not be watching TV until you are two years old! So no Disney movies for you yet.  You could start learning sign language at eight months.  You also will respond to low and serious reprimands, so we will have to start letting you know if certain things are off limits.  We could start playing memory games with you looking at baby flash cards or family pictures.  You might be pulling up on furniture.

Love,

Momma

Fun activities to try:

• Let your baby put tennis balls or toy cars in the cups of a muffin tin. She'll also love playing with shape-sorting toys.
• Create a miniature obstacle course using pillows, cushions, chairs, and boxes for Baby to crawl between and over. Join in the game to show her how to navigate it.
• Ask your baby questions and wait for a response. Encourage her to shake her head yes or no. Teach her to wave "bye-bye" and clap when she is happy.
• Baby understands more words than you might suspect. Mention a favorite toy, pet, or a family member's name. If she immediately looks for it, you'll know she understands.
• Offer your baby objects such as a toothbrush, cup, hairbrush, or toy telephone. When he treats the object appropriately, such as putting the toy phone to his ear, react positively and enthusiastically.
• Introduce your child to a variety of foods. He will love the ways different foods feel and taste. Let him start drinking from a sippy cup. He will have fun imitating you at mealtime.
• Some favorite food choices for this age include dry cereal, scrambled eggs, diced soft fruit and vegetables, cubes of cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, diced meat, teething biscuits, crackers, pasta, and mashed potatoes.
• When you are reading to your little one, ask her to find and point to the tree, cat, ball, and so on in the pictures. When you are dressing Baby, ask her to point to her head, tummy, and toes.
• When you are reading to your little one, ask her to find and point to the tree, cat, ball, and so on in the pictures. When you are dressing Baby, ask her to point to her head, tummy, and toes.
• Whenever your child does something accidentally, such as dropping his sippy cup from his high chair, say "uh-oh!" This lets him know you are not upset and that everyone makes mistakes. Eventually he will begin to imitate these phrases, and sometimes there won't be a real reason.
• Play games with your little one when you're dressing her. Play peekaboo when her head pops through her pajama top. Kiss her hands when they appear through her sleeves. Ask her to step in her pant legs. Clap when she follows directions.

Activities from here.

24 weeks and health weight gain

Hi Baby Rose!

You have been moving pretty consistently lately.  I still can't feel it on the outside that often.  It happened a few times last night as I was getting to sleep.  But I didn't want to wake up your daddy, as he has to get up very early each day at 3:30 am!

Weight Gain

In the last few months I have gained a bit too much weight.  I guess I was enjoying fruits and desserts a bit too much.  I am now 24 weeks along, and I have gained 19 pounds! That is a bit too much.  I am supposed to be more at 12 pounds gained perhaps.  For example, the momma below from a blog that I read called the Daily Garnish has only gained 16 - 17 pounds and she is 27 weeks!

Swelling

I have started to have some issues with swelling. I have felt a "heaviness" in my legs and the skin felt tight in the evenings for awhile now. I thought it could be the feeling of swelling, but my ankles etc didn't look big or anything. At home I have a standing desk and stood up for four hours doing work for an accounting class I am taking. Apparently that was a bad idea! I could literally feel the fluid shaking around as I walked down to bed.  I am trying to drink more water today, and will make sure to elevate my feet on a larger pillow while I sleep tonight.  I am really hoping I don't have to start wearing tight hose!

Exercise

I am still able to work out consistently.  Last week we were in Liberal the first part of the week.  I walked a few times when we first arrived.  It certainly was not the 3 miles I am used to.  I worked out on Sunday after we got back and did 3.5 or more miles and then did some work with weights, and some front and side planks.  I also did a bit of running at 4.6.

This has been a busy week, so I was not able to work out again until this morning.  I was only able to do 1.7 miles in 25 minutes.  Maybe I can work out again tomorrow! It's just hard to get up in the morning at 6 or 6:30.  I was actually able to run a bit on the treadmill this morning.  I was only at 4.6, but it felt good.

Midwife

I had an appointment on Monday with our Midwife Jill Dolberg.  Apparently my tummy is right at 23 centimeters, so I am right on track.  Your heart beat is slowing down as you get bigger like it's supposed to.  I got to hold a model of you at their office.  You're getting big little girl!  Next month I have go to for the one hour glucose test to be sure I do not have gestational diabetes.  I will really be praying that I don't!

We are so thankful that this has been an uneventful pregnancy and that you are growing and healthy.  My best friend Shea in Ireland has had a very difficult pregnancy.  She is only 2 weeks ahead of me, and is already leaking amniotic fluid. We are praying all goes well for her and the baby. 

Love you!

Mommy

Kicks on the outside

Dear baby Rose,

Yesterday was the first time that I felt your kicks on the outside of my tummy! I could put my hand on my stomach and feel your little movements.  I'm so happy to feel you moving away in there.  What a blessing you are my baby girl.  I am so thankful that we will get to welcome you into our family in a few months.

Love you,

Mommy

You have a name!

Dear Kuti,

I went though many books of Saints and baby names and came up with a list of names that I liked.  I then narrowed it down to names that I REALLY liked.  Then your daddy went through them to decide which one he liked.  We were hoping to find the name of a saint that we liked because Ammachi had hoped we would find a good saint name.  I looked through normal baby name books also.  We have your name chosen!

Your name will be Rose Kreiser Madathil (unless you look like your name should be a bit different, we have two back-up names :)).   Our back-up names are Dorothy (we would call you Dottie) for my grandma.  Our other back-up name is Aria.  Your dad says we can only call you Aria if you look mean!  So, most likely your name will be Rose.

Love,

Mommy



Here is a bit of information about St. Rose of Lima from here:

Virgin, patroness of America, born at Lima, Peru 20 April, 1586; died there 30 August, 1617.

At her confirmation in 1597, she took the name of Rose, because, when an infant, her face had been seen transformed by a mystical rose. As a child she was remarkable for a great reverence, and pronounced love, for all things relating to God. This so took possession of her that thenceforth her life was given up toprayer and mortification. She had an intense devotion to the Infant Jesus and His Blessed Mother, before whose altar she spent hours. She was scrupulouslyobedient and of untiring industry, making rapid progress by earnest attention to her parents' instruction, to her studies, and to her domestic work, especially with her needle.

After reading of St. Catherine she determined to take that saint as her model. She began by fasting three times a week, adding secret severe penances, and when her vanity was assailed, cutting off her beautiful hair, wearing coarse clothing, and roughening her hands with toil. All this time she had to struggle against the objections of her friends, the ridicule of her family, and the censure of her parents. Many hours were spent before the Blessed Sacrament, which she received daily.

Finally she determined to take a vow of virginity, and inspired by supernatural love, adopted extraordinary means to fulfill it. At the outset she had to combat the opposition of her parents, who wished her to marry. For ten years the struggle continued before she won, by patience and prayer, their consent to continue her mission.

At the same time great temptations assailed her purity, faith, and constance, causing her excruciating agony of mind and desolation of spirit, urging her to more frequent mortifications; but daily, also, Our Lord manifested Himself, fortifying her with the knowledge of His presence and consoling her mind with evidence of His Divine love. Fasting daily was soon followed by perpetual abstinence from meat, and that, in turn, by use of only the coarsest food and just sufficient to support life.

Her days were filled with acts of charity and industry, her exquisite lace and embroidery helping to support her home, while her nights were devoted to prayer andpenance. When her work permitted, she retired to a little grotto which she had built, with her brother's aid, in their small garden, and there passed her nights in solitude and prayer. Overcoming the opposition of her parents, and with the consent of her confessor, she was allowed later to become practically a recluse in this cell, save for her visits to the Blessed Sacrament.

In her twentieth year she received the habit of St. Dominic. Thereafter she redoubled the severity and variety of her penances to a heroic degree, wearing constantly a metal spiked crown, concealed by roses, and an iron chain about her waist. Days passed without food, save a draught of gall mixed with bitter herbs. When she could no longer stand, she sought repose on a bed constructed by herself, of broken glass, stone, potsherds, and thorns. She admitted that the thought of lying down on it made her tremble with dread. Fourteen years this martyrdom of her body continued without relaxation, but not without consolation.Our Lord revealed Himself to her frequently, flooding her soul with such inexpressible peace and joy as to leave her in ecstasy for hours. At these times she offered to Him all her mortifications and penances in expiation for offences against His Divine Majesty, for the idolatry of her country, for the conversion ofsinners, and for the souls in Purgatory.

Many miracles followed her death. She was beatified by Clement IX, in 1667, and canonized in 1671 by Clement X, the first American to be so honoured. Her feastis celebrated 30 August. She is represented wearing a crown of roses.

Image from here, here, and here.