24 Weeks

24 Weeks...wow. This is a milestone. When I saw my doctor a couple months ago, I told her that I'd been a little apprehensive about the pregnancy (since it had taken so long to get pregnant) but that I was feeling better about it now that I'm in the second trimester. Her response was, "Just let me get you to 24 weeks." I asked why, and she told me because at that point the baby has a chance to survive outside the womb. She told me after I got to that point, I could "really go to buying." Now it's here. Hard to believe.

There's no hiding the fact that I'm pregnant anymore. People say "we're growing" all the time, and my assistant principal told me yesterday that I looked like I'd gotten bigger over the weekend. Later this week, I'll try to get a picture posted so everyone can see the difference.

Isaac is still very active. I can feel his kicks at my bellybutton now. I've been talking and reading to him through the fetal microphone, and I've also played some classical music for him a couple times. At first I didn't feel any activity when I did that, but this week he has been kicking in response to the stimulation.

I am still sick, but I'm getting better. There have been a few times when I didn't think I was going to make it. I've always had allergy/sinus problems around this time of year, but they've never been this bad. At some points there was so much sinus pressure, and even my teeth hurt. I went to the doctor last Thursday for a routine checkup, and she told me the only thing that will help me get better is self-care, rest, and time. I told her everything I've been doing, and she said I should teach a class on self-care. I'm just growing a little impatient with the whole thing. Next Wednesday, I'm leaving for Jekyll Island with my sixth graders. I was really hoping that I'd be back to 100% by that time. Ah, well, we had our fundraiser dance last Friday night (for the eighth grade students), and I survived that at six months pregnant and being sick. If I can do that, I really think I can do anything!

Wes and I start our prepared childbirth (aka, lamaze) classes next Tuesday. It's hard to believe how fast time is going by!

23 Weeks

Yes, I am awake at 5:00 in the morning. Truly amazing for me, someone who is definitely not a morning person. I got up around two this morning to use the bathroom and never went back to sleep. I felt very awake - even had a conversation with Wes when he got up to the use the bathroom later on - and Isaac has been awake too. I've been feeling lots of movement in the wee hours of the morning. So finally, after tossing and turning for two hours, I decided I could lay there and be aggravated that I couldn't fall asleep, or I could get up and be productive. In the last hour, I've already cleaned my house, paid bills, and am now updating my blog.

Last week got off to a great start, but by Thursday I felt very worn down. This is the time of year when my sinuses normally start acting up. It seemed like the sinus problems came on a little stronger this time, but it hasn't taken as long to feel better. The doctor approved of me taking Benadryl or Claritin, Robitussin, and chlorasetpic cough drops. Those things aren't as strong as what I normally take, but they seemed to take effect by Saturday evening. I did not leave my house for anything on Saturday or Sunday, which was a really wise decision. Although I still had some congestion at work today, I felt much better.

Wes finally was able to feel Isaac kick on Sunday afternoon. Normally, he stops kicking when Wes puts his hand on my stomach, but not this time. He was able to feel four or five strong kicks. He loved that!

We've been looking into daycares for the past couple of weeks. I visited another one today. Several people have asked if I plan to work or stay at home after the baby is born. I'm not going to say that I will work, but I'm also not going to say that I won't work. It's something that I'm thinking and praying very long and hard about. I will say that I want to work (very much so, in fact), but I am going to be very particular about who keeps my child. I thought I was doing a good job by starting on this several months in advance, but most places have a waiting list - most places that are worth anything, that is. Even if I find a place that I like and that Wes and I both agree on, I have a feeling I won't make my final decision until after Isaac is born. So we'll see.

22 Weeks

Last week, I had a very relaxing week, and an even more relaxing weekend. Wes and I left for Jekyll Island on Thursday night and came back on Sunday afternoon. We both agree that it was our best weekend getaway yet. It was so peaceful, and needed after our busy September.

Today was a good day at work too. I thoroughly enjoyed my time off, but I was glad to be back at work. I felt so much more "alive" and energized. I normally dread Mondays, because there's always so much to do. I usually work a little later, which is difficult coming off a busy weekend. But today I felt very refreshed. People who don't work with children don't always understand this, but teachers really do need all the days off they get. I wouldn't survive without them; I need that time to recharge my batteries. And so do the students.

Most of the students seemed excited to hear about Isaac. ... Isaac. It's nice to be able to use a name now, instead of always saying, "baby." I've been using the fetal microphone to talk to him lately. Sometimes I talk, other times I read. Eventually, I'll start playing music too.

Isaac has been very active in the past week. He is kicking all the time now! He's most active in the mornings and evenings. One night last week, I felt several kicks in rapid succession. The same thing happened the next morning. Today, I felt him kick while I was standing up. That was a first. Before, I could only feel the kicks when I was sitting or lying down.

And today, everyone's eyes widened when they saw me. Several people said, "Wow, Mrs. Sherrod!" They couldn't believe how much bigger I'd gotten since the last time they saw me. So finally, I'm starting to look pregnant!

21 Weeks

We went to the doctor yesterday, and one of the nurses performed the ultrasound. The baby was so much bigger this time! Last time, he looked like a tiny peanut inside my womb. This time, however, he was much bigger and his features very distinguishable. The nurse looked at everything - heart, stomach, kidneys, spine, fingers, toes, brain, etc. The heartbeat was 132 beats per minute, and she said everything looked normal. The nurse also told us that he weighs 3/4 of a pound. It was amazing how detailed the ultrasound image was. I counted all of the baby's fingers and toes. I could see all the vertebrae in the spine, and even the tendons in the legs.

I made sure I ate a snack before we went to the doctor, because I read that babies are generally more active in the womb after you eat. We both really wanted to know what we were having, so I was hoping he wouldn't be asleep. I didn't have to worry about that though. He was an active little thing! Several times, the nurse would be ready to take the picture, and he'd move this way or that. He was squirming around all over the place! It was amazing to realize that all of that activity was going on in my womb, yet I felt none of it.

At the end, she said, "Do I have to tell you what it is?"

Without hesitation, we both said, "Yes!"

She laughed, then started to look more closely. Our hearts leapt with joy when she said, "It's a boy!"

Isaac Michael Sherrod. It has a nice ring to it, I think. And his name is so fitting. Abraham and Sarah went through infertility too. God had promised Abraham a son, but Sarah was barren for a time. Finally, when she was 90 years old, she conceived. Upon hearing the news, both Abraham and Sarah laughed. They were happy, but shocked that this would happen in their old age. That's where the name Isaac comes from, because it means he laughs. Wes and I were both happy too, and we laughed when we realized that I was pregnant. Based on what the doctor had told us, we both had a grim outlook. We knew it wouldn't be impossible, but it would be difficult to conceive. Just when I had made a peace about the possibility of never having my own children, God opened my womb. I couldn't believe it, and I laughed too.

God did more than that though. He also gave me the desire of my heart. As long as I can remember, I have wanted a son. I still remember praying a couple years ago and asking God for a son, promising that I would raise him to be a godly man - much like Hannah did before she had Samuel. So as I watched the ultrasound yesterday and saw such an active, seemingly healthy baby--our son--I couldn't stop the tears of joy that were running down my face.

And now, picture time! The nurse gave us eight pictures yesterday. I couldn't decide which ones were "the best," so I just decided to post them all!

I wonder if he'll be embarrassed one day that I showed this picture to everyone... ;)

Maybe he'll be a runner or a soccer player. Look at that strong leg!!!

Or maybe he'll be a black belt. Look at him already practicing his sparring stance!

20 Weeks...What a Week!

It's been busy this week. Can't you tell? I normally update on Monday, and here it is Thursday evening. We've had revival at church this week, and my grades for the first nine weeks were due today. Between those two things and planning two trips for my students, I've been swamped. Things are starting to slow down a bit now though. The students went home early today, and they will tomorrow too. Then next week is fall break. Oh, how I need it this year.

I really enjoyed revival though. The guest pastor was a dynamic speaker. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard at church in my entire life. Oftentimes, I may enjoy revival, but I feel so tired afterwards, and it takes a while to recuperate. Not this year though. I can honestly say that revival fulfilled its intended purpose - encouraging believers in their spiritual walk. I was convicted about some things, encouraged in my faith, and challenged in my service for God. One night, there was a band that came to lead the music. I've been missing that style of worship so much, so that was a blessing. Every night, I looked forward to going. In fact, I couldn't wait to get there. I can't remember the last time I felt that way - I mean really felt that way. Sad, but true.

Anyway, this is supposed to be a pregnancy blog, right? So let's see. The baby is kicking more and more now, and the kicks are getting stronger every day. It happens at all different times - after I eat, sometimes when I'm at work, sometimes when I'm at home in front of the computer. One time, he kicked in response to hearing the organ playing at Nic and Ginnie's wedding. Another time, he kicked while Wes was preaching. At the moment, he was talking about God's love. I thought that was pretty cool, and of course Wes loved hearing that.

My back pain is getting better. The yoga dvd, tummy sleeve, and wedge pillow I've been sleeping with have all been a big help. I also got a massage today, and that was great. Very relaxing. So maybe I won't have to do the physical therapy after all. We'll see.

Now we're just waiting on October 10th. We can't wait to find out what the baby is going to be!