We met with Robin, our midwife, and
her assistants again this week. Your house measured thirty one
centimeters. You punched the fetoscope. Again. And
Again. And made Robin laugh. Your heart rate was 144 (it was also
144 in November, and 148 the very first time she heard it in October).
“Old wives tales” say a baby with a heart rate consistently above 140 is a
girl. We will see!
No matter what gender you are, we
know for sure you will be a person who loves to play. If your current
activity is any indication, I expect you to be a person who loves the outdoors,
playgrounds, camping, maybe sports, and pretty much anything where you can run
around and be active.
Most of this week, you’ve been
relatively still during the evenings when your Daddy is trying to play with
you. Two nights ago, you were up around two a.m., the most active you’ve
been all week. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to kick
right through me! It was like an aerobic gymnastics class was going on in
the dead of night! Last night when we went to sleep, at first you were
still again, and I thought your Daddy was going to be disappointed since you
haven’t been awake too much for his evening chat with you. I pushed
around on you a bit (which doesn’t always work), and said, “Hey baby, please
wake up and play with your Daddy.” He responded, “Yeah, Beta, come on,
it’ll be fun!”
Clearly “fun” was the key word,
because you woke shortly after and spent at least thirty minutes flipping,
punching, kicking, and flopping around. I call it “earthquake baby” when
your entire body moves so much it looks like an earthquake under my skin. There
aren’t distinct bumps in any one spot, just a ripple and rolling all over, shaking
my entire belly at once.
Your Daddy’s favorite game to play
with you right now is “One Two Three Tickle!” He counts slowly to three,
then tickles his fingers on my skin over the last place he felt you move.
Often, you will bump him back in response. His favorite nickname for you
is “Goofy” or “Goofball.” It’s a term of endearment he uses for other
children (and animals) as well, but he calls you this almost as frequently as
he calls you “Beta.”
After he spent almost thirty
minutes talking to you and tickling your feet, he and I cuddled together,
belly, to belly, and for another ten or fifteen minutes, you kicked and bumped
his belly all the way through mine! We were both giggling.
Eventually I moved so I could fall
asleep, but you wouldn’t let me! Another twenty minutes or so later, your
Daddy sleepily asked, “Is Beta still awake?” “Oh yes,” I replied.
He reached across the pillows I had bunched between my knees and arms, and laid
his palm on my belly. He fell asleep that way, still holding onto you.
You now weigh about two and a half
pounds, and are approximately fifteen inches long! Your head is quickly
growing bigger to accommodate your enlarging brain, which is developing
billions of neurons!
Because those neurons are
appearing, they are increasing your senses and abilities. You could
respond to pain. You can taste, and may already have preferences and
dislikes. Your eyes have even greater sensitivity to light, can
distinguish bright sunlight from a darkened room, and may be able to follow a
blinking light. Your ears and brain connections work together so you can
distinguish commonly-heard sounds and voices.
Under your gums, your “baby” teeth,
or milk teeth, have developed, and the buds of your “adult” or permanent teeth
will begin forming. Your bones are fully developed in size now, but are
still soft and pliable. Also under your skin is the beginning of your
“white fat.” Your “brown fat” is already in place, and is responsible for
body temperature regulation. White fat makes skin plump, and provides
energy.
This week, I pray that as your
physical heart beats so strongly, so your spiritual heart will also beat
strongly for the Lord.
“Do not turn away from the Lord,
but serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols.
They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For
the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the
Lord was pleased to make you his own. As for me, far be it from me that I
should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you
the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him
faithfully with all your HEART; consider what great things he has done for
you.” (1 Samuel 12:20-24)
“But the Lord said to Samuel,
‘Do not consider his appearance or his height… The Lord does not look at the
things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the HEART.’ ” (1 Samuel 16:7)
“Lord, the God of Israel, there
is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below—You who keep your covenant
of love with your servants who continue wholeHEARTedly in Your way. You have
kept Your promise to your servants [my father / mother]; with Your mouth You
have promised and with Your hand You have fulfilled it—as it is today.”
(1 Kings 8:23-24)
“Submit to God and be at
peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.
Accept instruction
from his mouth and lay up his words in your HEART.
Surely then you
will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God.
You will pray to
Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.”
(Job 22:21, 22, 26, 27)
“LORD, You alone are my portion
and my cup;
You make my
lot secure.
The boundary lines have fallen
for me in pleasant places;
surely I have
a delightful inheritance.
I will praise the LORD, who
counsels me;
even at night
my HEART instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the
LORD.
With Him at my
right hand, I will not be shaken."
Therefore my heart is glad and
my tongue rejoices;
my body also
will rest secure,
because You will not abandon me
to the realm of the dead,
nor will You
let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of
life;
You will fill
me with joy in Your presence,
with eternal
pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:5-11)
“The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the
soul.
The statutes of the LORD are
trustworthy,
making wise
the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are
right,
giving joy to
the HEART.
The commands of the LORD are
radiant,
giving light
to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are
firm,
and all of
them are righteous. (Psalm 19:7-10)
Four Weeks Pregnant
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