It seemed like from the moment I got a pregnancy test, I was ready to toss my regular jeans and dig out my maternity pants. With Nora, I often got the comment "How far along are you?! You're so tiny!"...this time around it's been more like "When are you due?...December?! That much longer?!" At my 24 week appointment, my feeling of busting at the seams was confirmed when my midwife measured my belly and announced I was measuring at 28-29 weeks!!! After feeling around, poking and prodding, she decided she didn't think it was baby that was so huge, but that I probably had a lot of fluid. She had me schedule another ultrasound and to go home and not worry. Uh-huh. Sure.
Of course, as soon as I got home I googled "excess amniotic fluid" and was given diagnoses ranging from absolutely nothing being wrong with me or babe to issues with the baby's digestive tract or other birth defects. We had to wait a week-and-a-half for our ultrasound (that was the earliest they could get me in). I became keenly aware of every little kick or twitch coming from my belly as I prayed that he was healthy and strong. I was also reminded how very little control we have over these little ones growing inside of us - I was powerless but to pray, and pray I did.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. - Psalm 139: 13-16
I rested in knowing that my gracious Heavenly Father was knitting this babe together, that what is "secret" to me is not secret to Him. And, that, no matter what, this baby is fearfully and wonderfully made. I also clung to these verses...
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4: 6-7
...and found comfort in knowing that although my Father is sovereign, all-knowing, all-powerful, He still allows His children to ask Him for things. And, besides a couple of brief, freak-out moments, I truly experienced God's peace in the waiting.
Praise God, the ultrasound showed our little man growing normally with all systems working well...and swimming in a very large pool of fluid! So, at 26 weeks I was measuring at 30 weeks as my belly continues to expand and grow. At this rate, at full term I will be measuring at 44 weeks pregnant!!! My midwife assured me that the fluid will probably level off and my belly growth will "normalize"...for the sake of stretch marks, I do hope so. : )
26 weeks w/Nora (in Florida for our "Babymoon")
30 weeks w/Nora
26 weeks w/Little Man Tran!!!
P.S. If you have any mu-mus, please send them my way, I may be needing them come December!
