Archived Site – 2007 to 2011
December 17, 2009 Leave a Comment
In Week 22, baby breaks the one pound marker and is about eight inches in length. Baby now has a good ability to grip, has grown eyelashes, eyebrows and is growing hair on the head, which has no pigment at this point (though we’re secretly hoping for a red head this time).
December 12, 2009 Leave a Comment
You Sprague Baby Belly Picture Fans are in luck. After a delay, the Baby Belly Growth Chart is back! It will go on hiatus for a few weeks when we’re in Armenia, but here is the first installation – Week 21. You will notice that Week 21 for Baby II is significantly more prominent than Week 21 was for Anoush!
By now, our little one is very active, can hear our voices, sense light and darkness, and even has developed taste buds! At 21 weeks, baby is about 7 inches in length and around 11 ounces in weight.
March 30, 2008 12 Comments
I am very happy to tell you that at 9:41 PM 29 March, Terra gave birth to Anush Lee Sprague weighing 6 and a half pounds. Mother and daughter are doing great. Terra’s water broke at 6:45 PM and Anush was delivered by two lovely paramedics at 9:41 on our living room floor.
For those of you who have broadband, below is a recording Terra and I made right after getting to hosptial. The doctors requested we come in so they could check both Terra and Anush because Anush was born breach. She came out backside first and was folded in half with her feet by her ears. Anush’s backside is bruised but it appears that is the worst of it. Terra handled the birth very well, starting and completing the task in under 3 hours with only 12 or 13 major contractions needed to birth Anush.
Enjoy the video. I am off to catch a few hours of sleep before going back to the hospital to bring home Terra and Anush.
March 26, 2008 4 Comments
I went to a labor and pain relief workshop today, organized by my midwife unit. Being there made me so glad to have been involved with the helpful group of women at yoga class who have a positive and natural attitude toward birth! If today’s workshop had been the only one I had attended about labor I would have come home completely worried! There was no attention to different positions or using gravity to help you in labor, very little about breathing, and everything was framed in such negative wording. I actually feel bad for some of the women there today who are clearly terrified of birthing – this class clearly did not help them feel equipped to handle the experience.
The attitude of the group, overall, was confounding. Some people were so pessimistic about pregnancy. The midwife asked us to go around the room and introduce ourselves and say one thing we had enjoyed or not enjoyed about being pregnant. Some women said the best thing about being pregnant was being able to eat whatever they wanted and not worry about weight gain! Others said the best part was that all of the sudden they had a lot of attention from everyone, or that they could use being pregnant as an excuse to get others to do things for them. Husbands grumbled about their wives needing to get up too many times in the night or snoring and disturbing their sleep. I kept thinking, ‘people – get some perspective here – pregnancy is not about YOU! It’s an amazing experience all about bringing another person into the world! Get yourselves out of the way!’
People were clearly not comfortable hearing about certain parts of labor either – there was giggling, rolling of eyes…I felt like I was in a room full of 12 year olds (or rather back in middle school sex ed class!).
I didn’t really learn anything that I hadn’t already gotten from yoga class, having gone to the active birth class earlier this month, talking with other moms, being at Breanne’s delivery with Walker, talking to mother or my sister, who is expecting her second child in May.
This has all prompted me to say thanks, again, to everyone who has offered such wonderful advice and support about everything from birthing to diapering! Thanks especially to my sister-in-law, Breanne who allowed me to be present at the birth of her son, Walker! So many women I meet have never experienced a birth and I feel more comfortable going into this experience having witnessed the miracle before with you.
To my sister Kim, although I wasn’t able to be at your delivery, and I’ve never told you before, I learned a lot from your positive attitude with your pregnancy with Katrien. I remember visiting you and Mike the summer before Katrien was born and being so impressed at your energy. You never asked anyone to do things for you. When you needed a glass of water, you got up and got it yourself. You never treated pregnancy like a handicap – like so many others I meet. I know these examples may seem trivial, but they are the things I’ve remembered all through my pregnancy that have helped me stay positive.
And thanks, most of all to my loving husband, who isn’t afraid of body functions and human physiology! I know that sounds silly, but Jason has always been comfortable with communicating, sharing and doesn’t shy away from the unknown. He’s my constant cheerleader and is always telling me I can get through things when I think I’ve met the end of my endurance; whether that be in school or work and now as I begin to prepare for bringing our child into the world.
Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I have really loved being pregnant and honestly am looking forward to doing it again soon! That’s not to say that I haven’t had difficult days, moments of insanity (particularly pre-placenta stage) or haven’t experienced discomfort over the last nine months, but keeping a positive attitude has been a saving grace for me!
Finally, to my pregnant lady friends, and those who are trying to start their families, just remember that attitude plays a huge part in how you experience pregnancy. Enjoy the experience, revel in the changes of your body, embrace what nature is capable of, and take care of yourself – mentally and physically.
As the days dwindle away and the baby’s delivery approaches, keep sending those positive thoughts, prayers, love and energy our way. We look forward to sharing the news with you once Tigran or Anush arrives!
March 23, 2008 1 Comment
First, I must say that pregnancy has been an amazing journey and I’m already looking forward to doing it again! At times, I just can’t imagine myself without a baby belly anymore, and the thought of not having those little bumps and wriggles occuring inside seems strange. Although I think I will miss being pregnant, we’re very much looking forward to the arrival of our little Anoush or Tigran!
Jason and I took a helpful “Active Birth” class last weekend, run by the same woman that I take yoga classes from. We learned about the physiology of birth, practiced some helpful positions and tips for the labour and delivery. I will attend another similar day workshop on Wednesday run by the midwife unit where I go for my regular checkups. This one will be focused more on the medical side of delivery including the hospital aspects and pain relief options.
I went to my midwife last Thursday, and everything continues to stay on track. The baby is still head down, but not fully ‘engaged’ into the pelvis yet. I’ve been having sporadic ‘Brackston Hicks’ contractions, which are good practice for my body.
Only a couple of weeks to go until the delivery date, but I’m hoping the baby will decide to come a week late or so. I hope to complete two of my three term papers before April 5th, then take a few days to relax and do some cleaning around the apartment. We’re all set with the necessary items for the baby, and I’ve managed to wash all the clothes and cloth diapers, etc that we need. I’ve been so blessed to have a smooth pregnancy and I thank all of you who have sent words of support, advice and help throughout!
We will of course put pictures of the baby on the website as soon as he/she is born! Keep your eyes out – but keep your fingers crossed that they don’t appear for a few more weeks!
February 29, 2008 4 Comments
We’re cookin’ now! Up to approximately 5 pounds and 20 inches our little one decided to give up the comfort of lying horizontally and is head down now. I’m continuing to feel good, but understandably a little more tired as the weight of the baby really starts to kick in now. Still out walking around but have neglected my yoga this week, and I can tell the difference. My ankles and knees show signs of water retention, but hopefully another massage, some more walking and a bit more exercise will help alleviate that in the coming week.
Here I am sitting at the computer on my exercise ball. It’s much more comfortable than my desk chair and allows me to move more freely and
change weight distribution when I get uncomfortable. I think it will be a lifesaver as I work hard to complete my second term assignments by the end of March in preparation for the baby’s arrival.
Thanks to all of you who have sent comments, ideas and tips for using cloth diapers! Keep the information rolling in! We appreciate it.
February 16, 2008 3 Comments
It might be hard to see in this picture, comparing to week 31, but this baby has certainly grown leaps and bounds in two weeks time! I told Jason this morning that I think it spawned a twin. This is weight-gaining season for the little one, who could weigh up to 4 pounds now, but could as much as double before it’s birthday. There’s more baby than amniotic fluid in the womb now, which explains why I can feel movement easily these days. This week, the baby’s immune system begins functioning, and it can receive antibodies from me.
I’m still feeling pretty good, but getting a little tired. I take great strides to keep on top of my health and comfort, however, and am still doing yoga about three times a week, getting out and walking regularly, drinking lots of water and eating plenty of healthy foods. I also have had two free massages this week, which has been fantastic in helping reduce swelling in my legs and keeping me relaxed. Have been squeezing in some mid-day naps, too.
Wednesday, I’ll go to the midwife for my regular checkup and we will participate in two different types of birthing classes in March. The plan is to birth as naturally as possible, which tends to be the way most women do it here. The birthing process is much less ‘medicalized’ here, with far more home births and natural birthing. While we have a midwife, we are not planning a home birth – I’ve not gone that radical yet.
We’re also planning to be as natural as possible in our baby care options. We’ve decided to go the cloth diaper route, I’m preparing to breastfeed for as long as possible and we’re not investing in the normal amount of ‘gadgets’ and accessories until we see a need. It’s just a simple bassinet, a baby sling, cloth diapers and clothes for us. From there, we’ll purchase what is needed as we see fit. If you have any tips on cloth diapering, we’re open to suggestions and recommendations on brands and styles.
February 5, 2008 5 Comments
Two months until the baby’s due date of April 5th, and a lot to accomplish before then! This semester is already flying past. This week I will hand in my dissertation topic and start contemplating my end-of-term assignments, which I am striving to complete by April 1.
The baby is growing and getting more and more active. This week, it will reach 18 inches and over three pounds. It’s still enjoying laying horizontally. Sometimes, when its little bottom is pressing hard on one side of my abdomen, Jason says it makes me look like I put my belly on crooked because there’s an obvious bulge on one side but not the other.
I got a big exercise ball to sit on while I type at the computer. It will help promote better posture and hopefully alleviate some of the tailbone pain I’ve been getting recently. Tomorrow, I go to my health clinic for a midwife-led workshop on breastfeeding. I also get pampered by a free pregnancy massage on Saturday!
Here’s a picture of Jason making me ‘pose’ and subsequently laugh at the camera!
January 27, 2008 2 Comments
The time is flying! Only 10 weeks to go until this little one makes its appearance to the outside world. As far as I can tell, it’s having a grand old time in its cosy womb. Week 30 marked some significant brain development including a transition from a smooth surface to one with grooves and indentations. Also, the bone marrow has taken over production of red blood cells, which means the baby can control its own body temperature now. I’ve been having a few more aches and pains, but through yoga and daily stretching have been able to combat them pretty well. Jason’s nightly back massage therapy helps considerably, too!
January 14, 2008 1 Comment
In week 28, the little munchkin should be about 2.5 pounds and 16 inches from head to toe. Apparently there’s plenty of moving around space in there, though. It seems the baby’s favorite position is laying horizontally across my abdomen, with its head at my right side and it’s bottom at my left side. From time to time, I can tell that it’s flopped vertically, but there’s no need to be concerned about positioning until around week 34 when the midwives will start to pay attention to any tendency to lay breech.
This week, baby can blink and cough…is that the noise coming from my belly that Jason hears but I don’t?? Some research shows that by this time in development, babies may be able to dream, as measured in their brain wave activity and rapid eye movement during sleeping.
Still feeling good, but somewhat tired. That’s probably due to a combination of third-trimester changes and first semester essay writing.
In related baby news, some applause, please, for our Peace Corps friends Wendy and Dulani Woods who had a healthy baby girl on Sunday! They were PCVs in Georgia, Armenia’s neighbor to the north, and we spent a few days together when they toured Armenia. Congratulations, guys!