week 28 for baby (Alivia Constance Rodriguez-Miranda)

Welcome to your third trimester! Your baby can open and close her eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before she's batting those beauties at you. Her eyesight is developing, too, and she may see light filtering in through your womb. Your baby can smell the amniotic fluid surrounding her now, and after your baby is born, she'll know you by your familiar scent.    By this week, your baby weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels.   She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.   You're in the home stretch! The third and final trimester starts this week. At this point, you'll likely visit your doctor or midwife every two weeks. Then, at 36 weeks, you'll switch to weekly visits.   Depending on your risk factors, your healthcare provider may recommend repeating blood tests for HIV and syphilis now, as well as doing cultures for chlamydia and gonorrhea, to be certain of your status before delivery. Also, if your glucose screening test result was high and you haven't had follow-up testing, you'll soon be given the three-hour glucose tolerance test.   And if the blood work done at your first prenatal visit showed that you're Rh-negative, you'll get an injection of Rh immunoglobulin to prevent your body from developing antibodies that could attack your baby's blood. (If your baby is Rh-positive, you'll receive another shot of Rh immunoglobulin after you give birth.)   Around this time, some women feel an unpleasant "creepy-crawly" sensation in their lower legs and an irresistible urge to move them while trying to relax or sleep. If this sensation is at least temporarily relieved when you move, you may have what's known as restless legs syndrome (RLS).   No one knows for sure what causes RLS, but it's relatively common among expectant mothers. Try stretching or massaging your legs, and cut down on caffeine, which can make the symptoms worse. Ask your healthcare provider if you should try iron supplements, which can sometimes relieve RLS.   Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects about 5 percent of pregnant women. A woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia if she has high blood pressure after 20 weeks of pregnancy along with at least one other symptom, which can include protein in her urine or liver or kidney abnormalities.   Most women who get preeclampsia develop mild symptoms near their due date, and they and their babies do fine with proper care. But when preeclampsia is severe, it can affect many organs and cause serious or even life-threatening problems. The only way to get better is to deliver the baby.   Preeclampsia can come on suddenly, so it's very important to be aware of the symptoms. Call your midwife or doctor right away if you notice any of these warning signs:     Swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, or excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles     Rapid weight gain – more than 4 to 5 pounds in a week     Severe or persistent headache     Vision changes, including double vision, blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision     Intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen     Nausea and vomiting   Preeclampsia can occur without any obvious symptoms, particularly in the early stages, and some symptoms may seem like normal pregnancy complaints. So you might not know you have the condition until it's discovered at a routine prenatal visit. This is one of the reasons it's so important not to miss your appointments.

week 27 for baby (Alivia Constance Rodriguez-Miranda)

  Your baby sleeps and wakes at regular intervals now. If you feel any tiny, rhythmic movements, they're probably harmless baby hiccups – enjoy the tickle! Your baby can open and close his eyes and may suck on his fingers. Your baby's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be able to function with medical help if he were born now. 
  This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning – with a lot of medical help –if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
  The second trimester is drawing to a close, and as your body gears up for the final lap, you may start noticing some new symptoms. Along with an aching back, for example, you may find that your leg muscles cramp now and then. They're carrying extra weight, after all, and your expanding uterus is putting pressure on the veins that return blood from your legs to your heart as well as on the nerves leading from your trunk to your legs.
  Unfortunately, the cramps may get worse as your pregnancy progresses. Leg cramps are more common at night but can also happen during the day. When a cramp strikes, stretching the calf muscle should give you some relief.
  Straighten your leg and then gently flex your toes back toward your shin. Walking for a few minutes or massaging your calf sometimes helps, too.
  It may be the furthest thing from your mind right now, but it's not too soon to think about postpartum birth control. You'll want to make some decisions about it before your baby arrives. If you're considering a tubal ligation, be aware that some insurers, including Medicaid and other federal programs, require you to sign a consent form at least 30 days beforehand if your procedure is to be covered by insurance. So if you'd like the option of having the surgery during your postpartum hospital stay, don't wait too much longer to discuss it with your doctor or midwife. (You can still change your mind later.)
  So many aches, pains, and strange feelings arise during pregnancy that it can be hard to decide what's normal and what warrants a call to your doctor or midwife. To complicate matters further, some symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in your pregnancy. Here's a rundown of symptoms that could be signs of problems. If you have any of these complaints, call your healthcare provider immediately:
      Before you reach 37 weeks:
  Pelvic pressure (a feeling that your baby is pushing down), lower back pain (especially if it's a new problem for you), menstrual-like cramping or abdominal pain, or more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don't hurt)
  An increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge – if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody (even if it's only pink or blood-tinged)
      At any time:
  Your baby is moving or kicking less than usual
  Severe or persistent abdominal pain or tenderness
  Vaginal bleeding or spotting, or watery discharge
  Pain or burning when you urinate, or little or no urination
  Severe or persistent vomiting, or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
  Chills or a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
  Blurred or double vision, or seeing spots or "floaters"
  A severe or persistent headache, or any headache accompanied by blurred vision, slurred speech, or numbness
  Any swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, anything more than mild swelling in your fingers or hands, or severe or sudden swelling in your legs, feet, or ankles, or a rapid weight gain (more than 4 pounds in a week)
  Severe or persistent leg or calf pain that doesn't ease when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your nose, or one leg significantly more swollen than the other
  Trauma to your abdomen
  Fainting, frequent dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or palpitations
  Difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or chest pain
  Severe constipation accompanied by abdominal pain or severe diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours
  Persistent intense itching all over
  Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about, even if it's not pregnancy-related (like worsening asthma or a cold that gets worse rather than better)
    Even if you don't see your symptom on the list above, trust your instincts and call your doctor or midwife whenever you have a concern about your pregnancy. If there's a problem, you'll get help right away. If nothing's wrong, you'll be reassured.

great grandma rigby

great grandpa rigby

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Grosjean (gone to Heaven)

week 26 for baby (Alivia Constance Rodriguez-Miranda)

  Your baby may be able to hear both you and your partner as you chat – the network of nerves in her ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for lung development. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air. If you're having a boy, his testicles should soon begin to descend into his scrotum. 

How your baby's growing

  The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. Your baby is continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about 1 2/3 pounds and measures 14 inches (about the length of a scallion) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles should soon begin to descend into his scrotum – a trip that will take about two to three months.

How your life's changing

  Are you rushing around trying to get to childbirth classes and prenatal visits, prepare your baby's room, and take care of all your other daily tasks? Make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest.

  Around this time, your blood pressure may be increasing slightly, although it's probably still lower than it was before you got pregnant. (Typically, blood pressure falls toward the end of the first trimester, and it tends to reach a low at about 22 to 24 weeks.)

  Preeclampsia – a serious condition characterized by high blood pressure – most often shows up after 37 weeks, but it can happen earlier so it's important to be aware of the warning signs. Call your healthcare provider if you have swelling in your face or puffiness around your eyes, more than slight swelling of your hands, excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, or rapid weight gain (more than 4 to 5 pounds in a week). With more severe preeclampsia, you may experience other symptoms. Let your doctor or midwife know immediately if you have a severe or persistent headache, vision changes (including double or blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to light, or temporary loss of vision), intense pain or tenderness in your upper abdomen, or vomiting.

  If your lower back seems a little achy lately, you can thank both your growing uterus – which shifts your center of gravity, stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, and may be pressing on a nerve – as well as hormonal changes that loosen your joints and ligaments. Plus, the extra weight you're carrying means more work for your muscles and increased stress on your joints, which is why you may feel worse at the end of the day. Walking, standing, or sitting for long periods, as well as bending and lifting, can put a strain on your back.

  A warm bath or hot compress might bring relief. (Some women, though, find cool compresses more comforting.) Try to maintain good posture during the day, avoid activities that require bending and twisting at the same time, take frequent breaks when sitting or standing, and sleep on your side with one or both knees bent with a pillow between your legs, using another pillow (or wedge) to support your belly.

Learn about: Making a birth plan

  Writing a birth plan gives you an opportunity to think about how you'd ideally like your delivery to be handled and to discuss options with your doctor or midwife. The process of creating a birth plan can be a terrific way to learn more about labor and your own preferences for care.

  But keep in mind that labor is inherently unpredictable, and you'll need to stay flexible in case things come up that require you and your birth team to veer from the plan.

So is it worth doing?

  If you use the birth plan as an educational tool to learn more about your options during labor and delivery and as a guide for talking to your healthcare provider and communicating your wishes, you can't go wrong.

  In a BabyCenter poll about birth plans, 54 percent of those who responded said their plan was irrelevant once actual labor started. "My birth plan pretty much went out the window once I got to the hospital. But not sticking to the plan didn't take away from my birth experience at all," said one mom.

  On the other hand, 46 percent said their birth plans did help them create the birth experience they wanted. Said one new mom: "I was amazed. My midwife and the nurses followed my birth plan like an instruction manual. I was so worried because I had heard all these awful stories about how the hospital staff really doesn't care about birth plans. I got everything I wanted out of my daughter's birth."

  If you decide to try making a birth plan, it can be as long or short as you like. Some women simply write down their birth philosophy and a general sense of how they'd like things to go. For instance, "I'd like to have as natural a birth as possible. Please don't offer me pain relief medication or do any interventions unless necessary." Or, "I'd like my labor to be relatively pain-free and want an epidural as early as possible."

week 25 for baby (Alivia Constance Rodriguez-Miranda)

  Your baby is beginning to pack on some baby fat. As he does, wrinkled skin will start to smooth out and he'll look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair – you'd be able to see its color and texture if you could look into your womb. What's there may not be permanent: Some babies lose most of their hair in the first six months, and what grows back can be a different color or texture. 
  Your baby's wrinkled skin is starting to fill out with baby fat, making her look more like a newborn. Her hair is beginning to come in, and it has color and texture.
  Your baby is now the same weight as an average rutabaga.
  Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight – 1 1/2 pounds – isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair – and if you could see it, you'd be able to discern its color and texture.
  Your baby's not the only one with more hair – your locks may look fuller and more lustrous than ever. It's not that you're growing more hair, but thanks to hormonal changes, the hair that you'd normally shed is sticking around longer than usual. Enjoy the fullness while you can – the extra hair will fall out after you give birth.
  You may also notice that you can't move around as gracefully as before. Unless your healthcare provider has advised you otherwise, it's fine to continue to exercise, but follow a few safety rules: Don't work out when you're feeling overly tired and stop if you feel any pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Don't lie flat on your back, and avoid contact sports as well as any exercise where you're apt to lose your balance. Be sure to drink plenty of water, and make time for both warm-up and cool-down periods.
  When you have your glucose-screening test at 24 to 28 weeks, a second tube of blood may be taken at the same time to check for anemia. If blood tests show that you have iron-deficiency anemia (the most common type of anemia), your healthcare provider will probably recommend that you take an iron supplement.
  Have you started thinking about baby names yet? Choosing a name is an important decision, but it should be a fun one, too. You may want to consider family history (Great Grandpa Zeb), favorite locations (Venice, where you honeymooned), or cherished literary or film characters (Greta, Meg, or Atticus, for example). Check out our baby-name inspiration lists to help you brainstorm.

Welcome!!

Well this is a very special occasion for the Grosjean and the Rodriguez-Miranda family as we unite the two together to create a special little person! As the grandmother of this bundle of joy, I'm excited to announce the beginning of this new blog.

This will be a special place to share the adventure of parenthood for both Faythe and Guma. And a special place to share the adventures of their little piece of Heaven whether its a boy or girl.

We all wish Faythe and Guma a big congrats as we approach the day of arrival expecting to come on November 12, 2016.