18 week ultra sound shots

Here are some shots from our ultra sound.
I have succomed to the temptation of one tiny piece of paper with the babies gender written on it. I sat on my bed as it called out to me "look! Look! Look!!!!! and so I did. I had pretty much guessed anyway and there will always be room for error but I will be very surprised if a girl popped out.
I have now washed all my baby clothes and will probably organise them into the babies room today. I am not one for doing up a complete nursery with all the trimmings. They very quickly grow out of the baby stage and then you need to redecorate. I opt for the easy removal baby things such as toys and things stuck on the wall or hanging.
I have just learn't how to link my blog to flickr.com so that I can quickly show a photot or two. I may quickly try to get a shot of my belly and see if I can do the linking thing without help.
Here is my 19 week Belly shot.

week 18

Oops, I have missed a week. I have actually been busy all week at a leaders training time at church {LTT}. Wow!!! what a great time. I can't even begin to write about what went on and what I learnt. We also had people staying with us from South Africa and they also attended the LTT. Basson and Tania were such a great couple and we had so much in common. I didn't have much time to think about bubs but I sure have popped out a bit more. I am not huge but definitely getting a preggy look if I wear certain clothing.

I went for my ultra sound scan today. David and the kids came too. It never ceases to amaze me that there really is a little person in there. All looked really good, all limbs were present, no cleft palate, heart pumping away. I did not want to know the sex but David did. I got her to write it on a piece of paper for him and also asked for a shot of the genitals so I could do a guessing game. She did make the comment that it was very obvious so that made me think boy. After looking myself I tend to lean towards a boy and so do the kids but I like the fact that I will not know for sure until the big day.
The placenta is lying low so she said I should do a repeat scan later on. I had this with Samara and it moved up by later pregnancy. I am not concerned as it can be commonly low at this stage. It only becomes a concern of it does not move up later on.
Bubs is definitely kicking now and David is able to feel it from the outside. I could sit and just enjoy feeling baby move all day if given a chance. David is happy with a quick feel and then back to what ever he is doing. I guess its just hard not to notice when there is a precious life wiggling within, I love it.
I seem to have a craving for tortallini dripping with a creamy cheesy sauce at the moment, Yum!!! or baked potatoes with butter and sour cream. Luckily I am full as I write this or I would be heading to the kitchen for a wee snack.

My biggest problem at the moment is my pregnancy brain. It is not some made up excuse but a legitimate pregnancy syndrome. I am sure there must be some medical term for my brains ability to think one thing but say something completely different. An example of this is telling the kids I need to cook some letters when what I really mean is that I am going to post some letters. Why on earth did the word cook come out??? It has no connection, no parallel, no relevance what so ever. I must look this up on the internet, There must be some reason, other Mums report the same thing. Infact I will have a wee look now.

Well I've done some reading and come back none the wiser. It seems that no one really knows, some say that we just get self absorbed in pregnancy and don't focus on the little things ( this kind of fits as I can make myself concentrate if need be), Others say that it is just a myth ( come meet me and then make your judgment or ask my family), its is also said that our hormones and nutrients are being drained and sent a little haywire so it is understandable to be a little confused. That all said and done I know that things will return to normal and that the gray matter is not lost forever. I rest assured that after the 5th pregnancy I shall regain my composure and shake off the dizzy blonde reputation that I may be making.

I think I have said enough for now and I might get into bed for an early night. Ah the bliss of a comfy bed.

Week 16

I don't have too much to report of for this week in regards to the pregnancy and baby. All has been going well and I have no complaints.

I have been reading a book called "The way HOME" by Mary Pride. Although I do not agree with everything in the book and the way some bible verses are used, the overall thrust of the book has my brain in over time.
I have been thinking how children are a blessing and really noticing how Mums tend to speak very negatively about their children. I am constantly hearing, "I just want some time for me" or "not much longer and they'll be grown up and moving out, Yay!!!" Why has todays society become so "me" focused that our kids have become a burden?

I love my kids, and sure, I have my days when the kids are tired and grumpy ( or me) and I look forward to them getting into bed at night. ( today has been a bit like that) but on the whole I love having my kids around me all day. I don't have a huge need to get away without them, even though it is nice at times when it happens. I don't wish they could go to school so that I can do my own thing, I love the opportunity and I believe the God given responsibility to teach them at home.

Back now to the blessing of having children. The more I read and research ( I have much more to do) I am convinced that we need to give God full control over our fertility and let him bless us the way he wants to. It does not mean you will end up with hundreds of children. In the bible there are numerous examples of people only having one or two children as God blessed them and there are others that were blessed with many children. We need to trust that God is in control.
I hear the comments now," but we can't afford to have more than two, we need to be sensible". When did sensibility suddenly override Gods will for our family. Do we really think that God does not know the situations we are in and that we are a better judge than Him. Who is our provider? Us or God? If God chooses to bless us with more children he has also said he will provide.
God will not bring about a blessing that we can not handle.

As you can see I am becoming quite passionate about this topic and some may think I am crazy. I just want to be obedient to Gods word and to be willing to accept whatever blessings God wants to give, is that crazy?