Thanks-giving

A beautiful arrangement arrived last Friday "from" Norway...  we lit the candle last night at dinner in honor of Baby BOY Kleiven!

Team Minnesota is most definitely thankful for a wonderful relationship with our IP's and their families, four years strong!

24 Weeks

We are 24 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 22 weeks)

• Little BOY child is now gaining around 3 ounces (90 grams) a week (which means... so is Julie!).
• Baby weighs about 1.3 pounds and is 12 inches long.
• Baby weighs about 600 grams and is 30cm (crown to heel) long.
• The eyelids can be seen very clearly.
• If born at this stage is officially considered viable, they may well be able to survive.

The weight gain for baby is in muscle, bone mass and organs. The body begins to fill out with its appearance increasingly becoming more like that of a newborn. Taste buds begin to form. If Julie drinks something strange or bitter, baby may be observed showing his distaste.

Shopping for March?!

Oh.my.gosh! 
I just saw the cutest little things to get for Sanna... so I bought them. 

Since the holiday box is already completed and just waiting for me to bring it to the post office, this will have to wait for her visit to Minnesota in March.

Please don't let me forget that I am "stashing them away" and need to pull them back out!!    Ooooh, to be a kid again.  I can't wait to see her reaction.

23 weeks (6 months) or 117 days to go!

22 Weeks

Movin' and a groovin'...  Baby K is bouncing along to the movement, music and noises of the outside world.  He is growing quite comfy in his environment and somersaults can be felt on occasion.  So far I cannot see the movement from the outside to share with you on video, but when that time comes, I'll make sure to capture it!

I don't go back in for another OB appointment until early December, but I'm confident this little guy is growing by leaps and bounds!

Life is good over here for Team Minnesota +1.

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Wide Awake Baby @ 3:30 am!!  

Tap tap tapping away and somehow I believe he's already transitioned to Norwegian time!   Shhhh, little one.  Go back to sleep.

21

21 means, roughly 19 to go...

or 17 until the Kleivens are back in Minnesota!

I'm also checking off the list of symptoms that came via email today:

"Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long"

       YEP, ultrasound has him measuring at an even pound already!

"You may also discover a pattern to his activity" 

       YEP, After I eat or the minute I sit down at night!  

"You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days."

       YES, really enjoyed my restoration yoga last night!

"That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne."

       Oh yes, dealing with the "pregnancy mask" of redness (not so happy with other folks' comments about my red face) and not bothering to use cover-up makeup.  Why bother?

"You're also prone to varicose veins now."

      Trying to remember NOT to cross my legs!

"Gasp... is that a stretch mark?!!  take deep breaths and remember - they'll fade after delivery."

      Ha!

Happy, Healthy & Thankful are we...

21 also means : 132 days = Spring 2011 will be upon us with the arrival of Baby Kleiven!

It's a....

Healthy, bouncing, baby!!

Wait, what?!

20 weeks....  already?!  Where does the time go? 

I was sitting in church yesterday with the little "passenger on board" and s/he was kicking away to the music...  and I thought to myself, this is the last time I will be able to enjoy such a wild experience.  A human form - inside of me - growing, kicking and full of life.  To top it off, my mind wandered to what a miracle this really is...  the child is not mine, but that of two wonderful people who get the pleasure of raising such a joyful spirit.  I am incredibly blessed to have been able to help Hanne & Tommy fulfill their dreams, not once...  but twice!  I don't even know that I can put into words what a treasureable experience this is for ME.

When I pulled myself back from these wandering thoughts, I gave thanks to the Lord for such a gift as this.

Friendship.  Life.  Love.

~ Julie