Dear Baby Hollomon,
As you probably already now, your Daddy is a big computer geek, and he has set me up with this online blog to keep record of this exciting time. Until the day arrives that we welcome you to this world, I'm positive that there are a few other members of your Family who will enjoy reading this. Welcome to the online journal all about you and welcome to the world. We hope you enjoy reading this someday and learning about your life before birth.
Today is June 24, 2007, which I estimate to be Day 41 of the miracle of your creation.
We are in week 6, which means that all the cells in your body parts and systems are dividing furiously and your body is beginning to take shape. Right now your about the size of a small lentil bean, (4 to 5 millimeters across). Hopefully you'll grow out of this, but your head is overly large and you have dark spots where your eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape. Shallow pits on the sides of your head mark your developing ears, and your arms and legs appear as protruding buds. Your hands and feet look like paddles, with thick webbing between the developing digits, but your fingers and toes will soon become more distinct. Below the opening that will later be your mouth, there are small folds where your neck and lower jaw will eventually develop. Inside, your tongue and vocal cords are just beginning to form.
Your heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute — almost twice as fast as mine — and blood is beginning to circulate through your body. Your intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where your lungs will be. Your also starting to build muscle fibers and, halfway through this week, you'll likely start moving your tiny limbs. Unfortunately, I will probably have to wait until I'm several weeks into my second trimester before I get to enjoy feeling your movement.
I copied a few previous journal entries that I wanted to add to this site. It's amazing how our lives have changed so drastically in the last two months since this first entry.
On April 26, 2007: Well,we have been trying to conceive for 26 days now. The last two days, my breasts have been sore, and this morning, I have a bad tummy ache and nausea. I haven't taken the test yet, for one, I don't have any tests at home, and two, reading up on it, it sounds like a test won't be able to detect for another week. I might just have to go on my own here, and take one anyways. I don't know what they mean when they say "you'll just know". Personally, I don't think I'm glowing, and I'm not sure if the tummy is baby related or maybe just the new restaurant we tried last night. This is a true test of patience, and allowing God to be in control. Boy, would I give anything to know what his plans are. Either way, they will be the perfect plan.
On April 27, 2007: The tummy aches continued through the night, and a little bit this morning. Despite that, I still picked up a starbucks treat for myself. Hopefully, I won't regret that choice. My breasts have been tender on and off. The babyzone calendar says the 30th is the first day a home pregnancy test will detect anything. Tomorrow, it says a blood test will detect pregnancy, if I conceived this cycle. Isn't it ironic that the Church is having a blood drive, and Chris is giving blood, but I am not supposed to. My cardiologists have said I will need to pass on opportunities like that. I might be the one to need a blood infusion during birth. Yesterday, I took my first folic acid vitamin. The "What to expect when your expecting" book is awesome. It has given me so much information. Who would have thought you were supposed to start taking a prenatal vitamin before you even begin to try to conceive. Oops, I'm already behind on that. I will get better.
On May 2, 2007: Well, patience wore thin, and on Saturday, April 28th, I took a digital pregnancy test. "Not Pregnant" it said after 3 minutes of impatiently sitting and waiting. A feeling of disapointment came, but then I told God I will put it back in his hands. Shortly after, I noticed on the side of the test box an accuracy chart. Granted, this is a test that supposedly can detect pregnancy 5 days earlier. When reading the fine print, if you take the test 5 days before your next period is due, then it is a 51% chance of accuracy. So, why did I waste a test? I could have tossed a coin and designate heads I'm pregnant, and tails I'm not. Considering Saturday was somewhere between 5 days and 3 weeks early (my menstral cycle was never regular), then the coin toss would have created just as good of odds. I have told myself atleast another week. I don't know if it will test positive, if I do end up getting my period soon. We'll see. So, on to other news. I'm meeting the Queen of England tomorrow. How funny is that. Someday, I'll be able to show my little son or daughter a picture of his/her parents with the Queen.
On May 7, 2007: Well, I took another pregnancy test on Cinco De Mayo. Not Pregnant! Oh well. I will continue to be patient. I also received my period later that same day. On the upside, Chris and I went into Babies R Us yesterday after church. It was so fun. We picked out a cool stroller/car seat combo that we like. I can't wait to start buying this stuff. :) Oh, I also played a little joke on him. I picked out the ugliest bedding ever and asked him sweetly if he liked it. He was thoughtfully coming up with a tactful way of saying he didn't. His response was, "what part do you like about it." I said, Not one thing, are you crazy. His sigh of relief made me laugh for the next hour. He he, it was so funny.
Today: June 24, 2007: Like I said, a lot has changed in 2 months. God has truly blessed us with your creation. I can't wait to welcome you into this world. We love you!
