22 Weeks!

I don't have a lot of updates this week! Matthew is still kicking up a storm and I love it. I can't wait for DH to be able to feel it too! It's still at that point when kicks are fun and cute...my friends keep telling me to wait until his feet are bigger and stronger and then see if I change my tune. I hope I won't!

We have another doctor's appointment this week. This one is routine. I'll be anxious to see what my doctor says about measurements, growth, etc. I'm still 2 pounds under what I weighed the day of the transfer so I think talking to the doctor will help set my mind at ease (assuming he has good news for me!). I'm certainly not complaining about not gaining weight, and Matthew's weight looks good, so I'm hoping it's no big deal.

I do have one specific prayer request. In the coming weeks, I'll be tested for Gestational Diabetes. Sheila had it with all of her kids. I'm overweight and diabetes gallops through my family, so between those three things, there's a really, really, really high probability that I'll get it. Additionally, I've not been able to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and whole grains, which is something you can do to help prevent it. I do exercise some, which helps, but a lot of what I've been able to keep down is simple starches, which is basically a welcome mat for the condition. I have pretty much everything working against baby and me, but would you join me in praying fervently that we're protected from it anyway? I can't even say how much I really, really, really don't want to get it. The thought of it honestly overwhelms me, and I'm so fatigued already from all the other issues with this pregnancy. Would you pray with me?

I do have an update on Baby Ewan. He made it through his surgery and doctors have spent the last several days trying to bring his body temperature back up, allow it to start functioning on its own and in the next few days, they hope to bring him off of some of the machines. A lot of his vitals look good and they see no signs of brain damage. God has done a whole host of miracles in this little boy's life. He's not out of the woods yet, but half a week ago, his parents were prepared to say goodbye to him, so this is huge cause for celebration. Please continue to pray!

All I have left to leave you with is an update on what's happening at 22 weeks:

The grow must go on! No wonder you’re getting so big, you’re now housing a wonder-baby who weighs nearly a pound and measures nearly a foot in length. Their perfect little pancreas is now further developed and they’ve also started producing their own hormones! Your baby's future in the circus as a world-famous tight-rope-walker is secure: their inner ear is now developed to the point that they have their own sense of balance. Lucky for your little explorer, balance also promotes physical dexterity, which has them actively feeling out their surroundings where skin, body parts, and the resident umbilical cord are the big sensory experiences. Your foot-long baby, is looking a bit like an oversized raisin right now as more and more wrinkles are showing up each week. Not to worry, all that excessive wrinkling is just their skin’s way of planning ahead for the time when they’ll start piling on that irresistible baby chub.

Blog buddy Lisa does her updates this way, and I think it's super cute, so I'm stealing the idea. Hope it's ok, Lisa!

*How far along? 22 weeks
*How big is your baby? A papaya--1lb, 10-12 inches in length
*Total weight gain: -2 pounds
*Sex: Boy
*Name: Matthew Michael Jeremiah (it's still weird to hear people call him by his name!)
*Maternity clothes: Yes! And it's wonderful
*Stretch marks: None that I didn't have already :P
*Movement: All the time now!
*Sleep: So, so! I am up several times a night, but when I am sleeping, it's pretty deep and restful
*Best moment this week:Mom treating me to a new wardrobe, that fits properly! Update! Oh, and of course the ultrasound. I forgot that that was just this week!! I swear, my brain has left my body.
*Food cravings: Chicken! I throw chicken up every.single.time I eat it....so I've finally given it up, and I really, really want it! But the only real "craving" I've had is for something that doesn't exist. A few weeks ago, I wanted a loaf of hard crusty bread that had bacon, cheese, and green onion baked in. I wanted it served warm and topped with butter. I craved it for DAYS. Where it came from, I have no idea.
*Labor signs: Nothing yet! Don't get any ideas, Matthew!
*Belly button in or out: In
*What I miss: Sleeping all the way through the nigh.
*What we’re looking forward to: DH being able to feel the kicks.

And last but not least, a new "belly" pic, taken this morning by my sweet DH. :)