27 weeks & 5days

These are some of my new outfits. Most of the outfits were given to me by Mom (fitzgerald). She sent them down, along with some really cute clothes for little Joseph. The turtle necks and pants were given to me by a friend in California. If you have a opinion of which I should use for the baby shower let me know.
I went to the doctors office on Saturday. He said that baby Joseph is about 2 1/2 lbs and 11 inches. So, currently our little man is short and chubby. I am no longer on a "diet" since I did not gain a pound!!! The baby did gain weight, therefore the doctor was pleased. I was too. I weighed in at 136lbs (I miss calculated last time).

26 weeks

I took these pictures in a rush. Buddy had the camera so I took advantage of the moment. I changed into a variety of shirts, but did not bother to fix my hair or re-apply make-up. I figured you all were more interested in seeing how big the belly is now, than in how well put together I look.



As you can see, I have outgrown most of my maternity clothes. Joseph weighs almost 2lbs and his mommy weighs 134 lbs. The doctor said that I have to watch my weight. Yep, he put me on a diet. I have to stay away from carbs and sweets. I am struggling with complete obedience.

24 weeks

I will post pictures of me and my great belly soon. Just been a bit busy. Ok...I also don't really like how big I'm looking either.

How your baby's growing:
Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

22 Weeks

I am sorry I haven't posted anything in weeks. We know now that we are having a baby boy! The baby is strong and healthy.


How your baby's growing:
At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

15 week video of the baby

The baby seemed really squished. I guess the belly needs to grow. Even though the baby seemed so relaxed its heart beat was 155bpm. Thank you for those who prayed for the video. Yes, I finally got it to work. Praise the Lord! By the way, although the baby looks like it's breathing He/she is really swallowing amniotic fluid. You can't really see his/her legs or arms. Maybe next time. I will be getting a video every month. Next month Lord willing we will know if it's a boy or a girl. We can't wait!

Loren

4 months

Hey sisters...Jessie, Liz, & Edith,
These pictures are just for you since you have asked for them. Love you




Your pregnancy: 16 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

15 weeks 3days

Your pregnancy: 15 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

14 weeks & 3 days

Buddy was on a trip, therefore I had to take the pictures myself. Sorry that some of the pictures are so blurry, but at least they are good shots of the belly.

14 weeks.Praise our Father!

Your pregnancy: 14 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

Many have asked for pictures of my belly. I'll see what I can do without offending anyone. Thank you for praying for us. We are super excited.
Clinging to the Saviour,
Loren

13 Weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

We are pretty excited!! I am definitely in the eating phase. I am trying to carry healthy snacks to make sure I eat right. Well love you all thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Thank you for leaving comments, that's the best part of the blog.

Clinging to the Savior,
Loren

Time with the Fitzgerald Family

Becka & I felt inspired by the billboard. We ate lots of good food. Ok, I was the only one that enjoyed "Chicken Feet".
Mom taught my bible study, I translated of course. It was lots of fun.

While the boys were gone we did a little sewing...
We cooked Chinese food...like fried rice, wantons & egg rolls... (yep it was all homemade)
We visited a "Baby Alpaca" & "Llama" farm...

Checked out a pottery school...
Took lots of scenic pictures...And prepared for the boys to get back from Puerto Maldonado. Mom made mint chocolate cheesecake, Becka made garlic bread, & I made lasagna (which had a bit too much garlic & oregano) Oh well =)


We were pleased to have the boys home. I gave Buddy his Anniversary gift. He was surprised & very pleased.
Buddy said he will give an update about the boys trip. We had a great time with the family & were really sad to see them leave. =( Today has been really tough.

Mother's Day

We (when I say we I really mean me.) got a package from our Sunday School class in Greenville. I am wearing my Mother's Day dress from Mom Fitzgerald, which I absolutely love!The "men" cooked for us on Mother's Day, really they had the teens cook and forked up the bill. As you can see from the messy kitchen.

All the mother's from our church & Mom. =)

There is a tradition here concerning confetti, the more loved you are the more confetti you receive. I felt very loved! =)

11 Week Sonogram

In this video you should be able to see the baby's brain, face, & little body. I especially enjoy seeing the baby kicking. The doctor says that the baby is doing great. No deformities and a strong uterus. Praise the lord! He took me off bed rest and said that walking is good for me and the baby. I am pretty excited. I have watched the video several times. Well I love you and miss you. Thank you for praying for our baby.
Clinging to the Savior,
Loren

10 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 10 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

9 Week pictures

I am officially 9 weeks & 4 days today!! Although my face is fuller and other things have grown my official scale says I am 116-117 depending on the day. I am on target according to the weight gain charts. Enjoying the changing process and praying for wisdom and safety.

9 Weeks

Your pregnancy: 9 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.