The 18th Week

I am late!  I completely missed the fact that week 17 ended and week 18 began. 

I can't even blame it on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, as I'm not in Japan.  I've been praying for those in Japan right now and just feel so bad for all those affected by the mass destruction that happened in such a short time.  As much as having a baby can change your life and give you a new perspective, so to a major world event can make you pause and reflect on your life. 

If you happen to have been in OC this Sunday and listened to the message at TRC on "The Prodigal God" from Luke 15, a sermon message with new perspectives and insight can also change how you think about life, your own life.  It will be a great 5 week series that the pastor's are engaging upon and I am very excited to see how my understanding of the story changes.  If you weren't here, either check out the Tim Keller version, or find the TRC version on our church website.

As for my wife and our baby, she's been feeling well.  She can feel little "flutters" upon occassion, which is the baby and movement, or gas :-)  Last week Wed-Thurs Rebecca stayed home to work on her proficiency exam and felt a lot of fluttering.  Since then, she's not felt much at all, but she has been more active and not sitting quietly, so that can affect her noticing the flutter a great deal.

Our baby "looks much more human now" according to the book.  I had to smile at that line.  We're having a human!

Dad Tip of the Week - run errands for your wife

Tip for Week 18 - adjust your fitness program as the physical changes in your body demand changes in your routine

Exercise - lunges with arm swings to an overhead position - Tones and strengthens arms, upper back, back of legs and buttocks

The big baby discussion is on the heart and circulatory development.  The heart begins to form already at week 3, contractions begin at day 22, with a beating heart visible already (via ultrasound) as early as 5-6 weeks.  Ventricles and Atria begin to divide around weeks 6-7.  At birth, the baby has to go from depending entirely on momma for oxygen to depending on its own heart and lungs.  Blood goes to the right ventricle, the right atrium and the lungs for oxygenation for the first time.  It is truly a miraculous converion.  At 18 weeks (where we are) ultrsound can detect some abnormalities of the heart.

Some good alternative forms of exercise are swimming and walking.  Biking, Joggin and a variety of other sports aren't the best for pregnancy.  Horseback riding and water skiing are not to be done while pregnant.  I'm glad the weather is getting better, with chances of 50/60 degrees next week, we need to go for some walks.

Iron rich foods are increasingly important during pregnancy.  Good foods to include in your diet, if you haven't already, are: chicken, red meat, egg yolks and spinach. 

The last great tip for the week was about keeping your urinary tract healthy.  I'll just leave it at that :-)

DC is on spring break right now, so I'll be busy with a variety of 'other' tasks.  We also have a trip to your family planned including your cousins' wedding next weekend. 

Loving You
-Me