31 Weeks!

Bradley Class Lesson highlights from Sunday:
* Children's vaccinations. I'm leaning towards finding a pediatrician who will allow us to spread out Baby J's vaccinations. I'm going to try to check out the Vaccination Book by Dr. Sears and read more about it. We've got both Autism and Auto=Immune Disease (Lupus) in our families so we want to carefully research vaccines and what will be best for Baby J.

* Newborn procedures done at the hospital. What really needs to be done right away? What can wait? What isn't necessary? I think we'll decline the Hepatitis B shot (not needed for a newborn and it's really strong) and the intramuscular injection of Vitamin K (not needed unless there is a history of bad blood clotting in the family). She wont need the erythromycin eye goop either - if you have been in a monogamous relationship and you know you don't have chlamydia or gonorrhea, the baby doesn't need this. We'll allow the P.K.U. testing (60 tests for certain genetic disorders) and Daddy J will stay with the baby for the heel prick and blood draw for this test. But we'll delay this test until after Baby J has been able to nurse. Daddy J can also go with the baby for the hearing test - she'll need to be asleep for this test. Also, Daddy J will be giving Baby J her first bath. Warms my heart just thinking about it. I have total confidence in Daddy J and his ability to care for Baby J. He has a lot of experience with babies... probably more than I do!

* Delayed Cord Clamping. It's best to delay clamping the cord for at least 2 minutes after delivery. You can actually feel the cord pulsing, still delivering red blood cells and blood stem cells to the baby after delivery. Babies do a lot better if the cord is not cut immediately. At home births, some people wait up to 20 minutes before clamping and cutting the cord.

I had an amazing baby shower on Saturday thrown by my friends at Emmanuel Church. I was overwhelmed by the love and generosity of each and every person. Baby J was showered with gifts - lots of cute pink outfits, baby onsies, footies with hoodies, wash cloths, toys, bedding, stroller, high chair, pack-n-play, and lots more. Daddy J and I were seriously amazed and delighted at the love everyone showed us by attending the shower and offering sweet gifts for our baby girl.

On Friday, November 20th, I first noticed... the dreaded... swollen ankle! Yes, it was only one swollen ankle - the left one. And it was combined with a little pain in my left shin... felt like a vericose vein wanted to pop out. Daddy J confirmed that the left ankle was swollen! I've been eating lots of salt (we both love salt) so that, combined with being on my feet cleaning and cooking for dinner guests probably did it.

Thanking the Lord for His care during this time... only a few more weeks to go!