October 26, 2008

Week 16

Well, we had a great visit from Rachel's parents this weekend and my parents are coming into town next weekend so it's been pretty busy around our house. Rachel had a doctor's appointment on Thursday and heard the heartbeat which was around 160 bpm which I think is supposed to mean girl but I'm not sure that has ever been studied. Nov 4 is a big day. Of course, t's ielection day but also Rachel will have a sonogram done to answer this question after all.

In week 16, baby begins laying down fat to protect itself from the outside world. At this point most things are formed and the remainer of the time is preparing the baby to be presented to the outside world. Along the same lines, if you looked, you could see baby's chest rising and falling in an attempt to "breathe." Of course, the lunges are filled with fluid at this point but this rising and falling is an important step in the full development of baby lungs.

Please pray for well developed lungs and and that baby wouldn't be too shy to show us the important stuff on Nov 4th.

Acts 17:25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

October 19, 2008

Week 15

Well, another week down, 25 more to go. I was looking at my schedule this week and realized that this baby is going to be here before you know it! This makes me excited but also a bit nervous.

At this point, the baby is doing lots that it will eventually use to display it's personality. If you look closely, we can see squints, frowns and grimaces. I can just see that smaller version of Rachel's grimace whenever I make a joke about some people in biblical times not having ears (He who has ears let him hear.) I'm sure that grimace will be followed by an, "Oh Dad!"

Praying for a warm, caring personality that endears everyone around him or her.

Rachel has another appointment this week but the big ultrasound is on election day.

Mark 4:9-'He who has hears let him hear."

October 12, 2008

Week 14

Well on a slightly boring note, Baby's thyroid is developed and is producing hormones just like the ones it will need to regulate temperature, metabolism and multiple other functions at birth.

Something a little more exciting, around this time many babies are seen sucking their thumbs on ultrasound.

Babies at this point are completely covered with lanugo which is a very fine hair intended to protect the skin from the amniotic fluid which surrounds it. The skin is still very thin and transparent.

Pray for good thyroids, cute thumb sucking and healthy skin.

Praying Psalm 5:11-But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

October 5, 2008

Week 13

This week is a big week for development of the gastrointestinal tract. By now, the pancreas is producing insulin and the liver is beginning to function. It's amazing how something that is so small is already beginning to function in the way it will be required to whenever the baby is born.

Things are going well here. A big decision was made in our family over the past week. After much prayer and consideration, it looks like the little baby growing inside Rachel will grow up in Abilene! We made the decision to forgo my year as chief resident in order to start my career as a general pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Abilene. This is the practice that I grew up going to as a child. We are very excited about being closer to both of our families. Instead of being 6-7 hours from my family, we will be about 45 minutes (and even closer for some) and Rachel's family goes from being 5-6 hours to being 2.5 hours, which means, much easier access to instant babysitters (you know who you are).

So, on that note, I think it's already time to start prayer that our house will sell when the time is right; otherwise, someone should expect to have a 3 month old living in a spare bedroom for a little while.