Saturday, January 31, 2009
31 Weeks ... Headed Out of Town for My Baby Shower!
0 comments Posted by Jay and Jamie Dalton at 5:58 AM
Jackson measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's moving a lot, too, so I have trouble sleeping because he kicks and does somersaults.
I'm headed to Lexington this weekend for a short getaway! A neighbor from my hometown offered to host a baby shower for me, and I'm so thrilled to catch up with old friends and celebrate Jackson's life. The shower is tomorrow afternoon then we're off to Greensboro to have dinner with more friends. It's going to be a busy weekend, but I'm soooo looking forward to some girl time! Pictures to come ... Until then!
I apologize for taking so long to update you on little Jackson and his development. Jackson is about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in my uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I received the email below this morning, and thought I would share it with my blog friends. It truly was a reminder to me of Christ's love! Enjoy!
A Baby's Hug
We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair, and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fatbaby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter, and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast, and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty, and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard, and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.
His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?' Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.' Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms, and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you,ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.' I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.' I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.
I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.'
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
We had a wonderful Christmas/New Year holiday. It was so nice to be able to spend time with family and friends. We were showered with all types of Christmas goodies and presents. I was also blessed with a few added pounds. :-)
My parents gave me one of my heart's desires ... a weighted-key keyboard. Playing the piano has always been my escape from the day ... I love to sit down, play song after song, and forget about life's issues. Music is one of God's greatest gifts, and I truly value each key, chord, and note!
I went last week for my gestational diabetes test, and it came back NEGATIVE! That is such a huge praise for me right now considering my favorite things to eat are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, rice krispies with bananas, chocolate milk, and powdered donuts. Yeah, I know ... I'm keeping such a lovely diet. At my last appt., I finally gained some weight, BUT I jumped from having gained nothing at all to gaining SIX pounds. The pregnancy is going great, and my only complaint is having to pee at least five times a night!
Jay is doing well, and he's enjoying watching my belly grow! BUT, I think his belly still looks bigger than mine! I'll have to post some pregnancy pictures soon! Until then ...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jackson now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, I'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, I need to be sure to drink milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in his hardening skeleton each day.
Friday, January 9, 2009
We finally asked two of our FAVORITE couples to be JACKSON'S (Yes, his name is Jackson) GODPARENTS. After much prayer and discussion, they've both accepted! I'm so excited about the role they will play in his life, and I'm also encouraged to know that he'll have Godly role models to assist him in life. Not to mention, that Jay and I love being around them too! ;-) We love you!
The FORD FamilyShannon, Maddie, Paul, and Makayla
The VAUGHAN FamilyLayne and Mark
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Baby Dalton weighs about two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through my womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
This week, Baby Dalton weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with his legs extended. He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. With more brain tissue developing, baby Dalton's brain is very active now. While his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if he 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 him, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.
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