24 Weeks

We are now at 24 weeks! Adam is growing steadily, having gained 4 ounces since last week. He is now just over a pound and almost a foot long. So he's pretty lean at the point but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

I had a busy weekend. I helped my mom babysit my niece and nephew - we had a great time playing and running around but I might have over did it a little bit, I was having really bad cramps on Saturday night, so I took it easy that night and on Sunday. I hope everything is ok with Little Man, I haven't felt him too much since Saturday. So of course I am being paranoid and freaking out that something is wrong even though the sensible part is telling me that everything is fine.

Last night I watched this show that followed 3 couples that had multiples. I cried my eyes out because one couple was expecting to have quads and during one of their appointments they found out that they lost one of the babies. So sad - they showed the delivery and everything. I really can't imagine getting news like that. The good news was that the other 3 babies were perfect. Then another couple was having sextuplets and they took the babies at 25 weeks - it was crazy to watch that and see the tiny babies to know that Adam will be that size next week! I wish Bob would have been home to see it. All six of the babies survived and were healthy so far - what a miracle!

Tomorrow is our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! In a way the time has flown by but in a way it also feels like we have been married forever. This past year was definatly a trying year for us dealing with the infertility and everything but it has brought us so much closer together. I really can't imagine loving Bob anymore than I do today but I know as soon as I see our son in his arms that my heart is just going to burst. I want to thank him for making the past two years the best of my life! It is so amazing to sit here today knowing that the future ahead of us is just going to be so perfect as we start our beautiful family. He is making all of my dreams come true - I am such a lucky girl to have the most perfect husband in the world. I love him more than I could ever express!

We are going to one of my favorite places to eat and I am counting down the hours (pathetic I know)! It's a fondue restaurant and I have been craving cheese lately-so this is right up my alley! Then on Friday we will be driving to St. Louis for our baby shower with my side of the family and all of my friends! I cannot wait to get there and see everyone, the week can't go by fast enough!

Dear God,
Thank you for blessing me with such an amazing husband! Please watch over us as we share many, many, many more anniversaries together!
Love,
Alicia & Bob

Dear Adam,
You must be lazy lately because you have been pretty quiet and not kicking Mommy as much - I just hope everything is ok with you. I worry about you all of the time and I am sure my worry and concerns are just going to increase after you are born. Mommy and Daddy love you so much we don't ever want you to feel pain or be sad.
We Love You!
Mommy & Daddy

23 Weeks

Yesterday marked 23 weeks. With his sense of movement well developed by now, Adam can feel if I dance and move around. He is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing and the sounds he hears are preparing him for entry to the outside world! Loud noises that become familar now - such as the roar of the vacuum cleaner - probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb.

Adam has been really rocking and rolling the past 2 or 3 days! He is constantly moving, such a cool thing. I don't think he wants Mommy to get any work done because when I feel him I find myself daydreaming about what he is doing in there. I want to know what it is that I am feeling, is he turning, kicking, punching his arms? I can't wait until we can feel him from the outside and Bob can experience it.

Last night we started filling out the baby book that we have with information that we can fill in right now. It asks a lot about the 2 of us, where we met, our wedding and honeymoon. It also asks about the baby's grandparents and gives you a mini family tree to fill out. Filling out the family tree was neat - Bob has a file that he got when his parent's passed away that has extensive information about both sides of his family (I think one of his siblings did a report for school and we have them) but it was really detailed and very interesting to read. My family doesn't have anything like that I don't think - so now it makes me want to do something especially while I still have my grandmother around on my mom's side since both of my dad's parents are now gone. These are things I want to make sure that I pass down to Adam and any other children we might have.

Dear God,
Thank you for your continued blessings - you are truly amazing.
Love,
Alicia & Bob

Dear Adam,
Oh boy - Mommy asked for you to kick me and are you ever giving me a taste of my own medicine. But I LOVE it! I am not complaining in the least - please keep on rocking and rolling to your content.
We Love You Sweet Boy!
Mommy & Daddy

Week 22

Today marks week 22. At 11 inches and almost 1 pound, Adam is starting to look like a minature newborn. His lips, eyelids and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. He has fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and deep wrinkles in his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas-essential for the production of some important hormones-is developing steadily.

We had our first baby shower this weekend in Detroit with Bob's family and friends. It was so wonderful and we had a great time! His sisters and sister-in-law did a fabulous job and everything was just beautiful! Adam is one spoiled little baby boy - we got so much for him that I know we will get a ton of use out of! Bob was at the shower too and I think he loved every single moment - especially opening the gifts! We got some Detroit Tigers onesies and Bob was crazy over them! I was having so much fun I didn't even take any pictures - but hopefully my parents will send me some so I can post them soon.

It was strange leaving because I know the next time I will see them all is after Adam is here (unless some of them come to Chicago to visit before then). Adam has such a great family that he is being born into. Between my side of the family and Bob's side of the family he will have 12 cousins already! Everyone is so excited to meet him - especially Mommy and Daddy!

Dear God,
Thank you for blessing us with such an amazing family!
Love,
Alicia & Bob

Dear Adam,
Wow- we got lots and lots of things for you this weekend at the baby shower! You are going to be the cutest dressed boy on the block! Everyone can't wait to meet you!
We Love You!
Mommy & Daddy

21 Weeks

We are at 21 weeks! Adam now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long - the length of a carrot. His eyebrows and lids are now present! His movement will turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges soon (hopefully I can feel him then) and he will have a pattern to his activity!

The cruise with my family was actually really fun! We had a good time just relaxing and hanging out. I think I might have felt Adam while we were on the cruise. We were at the final night show and there was a lot of music being played and I told my sister I felt something like a gas bubble but it wasn't in a normal area you would feel one. She thinks it was Adam. I really can't wait until I feel him more and more.

Yesterday we had our level 2 ultrasound at the OB's office. I am happy to report that Adam is perfect! His heart, brain, kidneys, bladder, stomach and measurements all look great! That is such a huge relief to have that over with and know that he is developing just like he should. He was extremely active throughout the entire ultrasound and wouldn't sit still much at all! It was by far the best ultrasound we have had to this point, Bob and I could have watched him all day! So I know now that he moves around like crazy and I am just praying that I really start to feel him more and more - I can't wait to actually know that it's him kicking me and not questioning it.

Here are a couple of cute pictures we got....

Dear God,

Thank you so much for your continued blessings and for watching over Adam as he continues to grow healthy and strong.

Love,

Alicia & Bob

Dear Adam,

Thank you for the show you gave Mommy and Daddy yesterday! We could have watched you all day. It was so adorable to see your little legs kick around like crazy and move your arms all over the place. Daddy and I are SO in love with you! Keep growing just as you are and keep that movement going, Mommy can't wait to feel you kick me!

We Love You Angel!

Mommy & Daddy

Pictures

Adam's Closet! This doesn't even include the things from my nephew! I have been shopping way too much!
I love this blue color. My dad and Bob did an amazing job on the crown molding and bead board. I just love this room!

Me at 20 weeks.

Half Way There

Today marks 20 weeks! We are half way there, I can't believe it! I have a feeling though things are going to start really slowing down and the time will start to drag on! Adam weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now and is around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inchesx from head to heel - the length of a banana. Up until this point he has been measured from the top if his head to his bottom because he was so curled up but now he will be measured from head to toe. He's swallowing more these days which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels and we'll see it in his first diaper - yea a present for Daddy!!!!

I still haven't felt any movement from him. I just keep praying that anyday now I will start to feel it! I am getting anxious. This past weekend was really busy. Saturday I went shopping with my mom and I think I found Adam's coming home outfit but I am waiting for it to go on sale, in the meantime I will keep looking. But I did get a ton of cute things for really cheap at some sales (most of it for next summer). Then my sister brought me tons and tons of clothes that my nephew doesn't fit into anymore! Adam's closet is already completely full and I have moved into the guest bedroom closet! This boy does not need anymore clothes but I know I'll see things that I won't be able to resist! On Sunday Bob and I went shopping for a rug for his room and a lamp. I did find an adorable lamp for cheap that is a little sailboat! I was so excited to get it for $30.00 because all of the cute ones I saw online were over $100.00! I never thought it would be so difficult to find a rug for a baby's room but it's impossible! Of course I am really picky and we don't want to spend a ton of money. The one I really wanted at Pottery Barn Kids was on sale but now it is no longer available, I guess that's what I get for waiting.

This weekend I am going on a 4 day cruise with my mom, sister, aunt and grandma for my grandma's birthday. Oh boy, that will be an interesting trip to say the least! Let's just say I think it's going to be way too much togetherness and I am so grateful it is only 4 days! Don't get me wrong I love them all dearly but that's a lot of togetherness! My sister and I are sharing a tiny room and she is kind of a slob so I know she will drive me crazy with her stuff everywhere. At least it won't be as bad as my mom, grandma and aunt all in a room :) But it will be really nice to get away and just relax, I am planning on doing nothing but reading by the pool and eating! I can't indulge in beverages so I have a feeling ice cream will take it's place. Hey, I am pregnant, I can do that now right?!

Dear God,
Please watch over us and our little family.
Love,
Alicia & Bob

Dear Adam,
Ok mister - why aren't you kicking me yet! Mommy really, really wants you to kick me. I will never say that to you once you are outside but take advantage of it now. Mommy and Daddy has so much fun shopping for your room this weekend, we can't even explain how excited we are to meet you!
We Love You Angel!
Love,
Mommy & Daddy