Update on Jacob's developement

What Jacob was up to last week: 22 week update

Your baby weighs close to a pound at this point!
Your baby can now hear your conversations more clearly than before!. When you talk, read, or sing, expect him to hear you. Studies have found that newborns will suck more vigorously when read to from a book they heard frequently in utero.
Eyelids and eyebrows are fully formed.
Fingernails have grown to the end of the fingers.
Be prepared for all those "Why" questions coming! Your baby's brain has entered a stage of rapid growth, especially in what's called the germinal matrix. This structure deep in the middle of the brain serves as a kind of factory for brain cells and disappears shortly before birth. But the brain's amazing expansion program continues until around the five birthday.
With some help from mom, baby's liver is starting to break down bilirubin, a substance produced by red blood cells.
If your baby is male his testes begin their descent to the scrotum.
Primitive sperm have formed and he is producing testosterone.
Length is 10.94 inches; weight is nearly 1 pound.

What Jacob is up to this week: 23 week update

Proportions of the body are now quite similar to a newborn although thinner since he hasn't begun to form body fat.
Bones located in the middle ear harden.
Your baby is able to hear. (Dads, did you know: low-frequency sounds mimicking a male voice penetrate the abdomen and uterine wall better than the higher frequencies of the female voice?) The eyes are formed, though the iris still lacks pigmentation.
The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily. Hehas begun producing insulin, important for the breakdown of sugars.
If born now, your baby has a 15% chance of survival, his odds going up with each passing day. .
The average baby at this stage weighs 1.1 pound and is 11.38 inches long.

I tried to post an update on how Jacob is growing, but the site where I get the information is not working so hopefully I can post that soon (I know I am behind).

Jacob is doing wonderful! He is starting to kick more and more and it is just too fun.

Just one story to share: last night I asked Adam what he wants for Christmas (of course he was no help) and he said Jacob. I said "no" and before I could get any more words out, Jacob kicked me harder than he ever has before. It was too funny. So I had to explain to Jacob why he couldn't come out for Christmas and ask him if he would kick his dad, but he didn't want to perform anymore after that. =)

An update...finally!

I know I have been behind in posting - that is when you know I am so busy I can't hardly see straight!

Jacob is doing GREAT! We went to the doctor today and his heartbeat is strong and everything looks good. He is right on schedule.

I am feeling him kicking more and more. It is so fun! Adam says that he is jealous of me being to feel him - I think Adam is cute for getting jealous and I told him that soon he'll get kicked too (either by Jacob or me when I am sleeping and need more room!).

Last night I felt Jacob kicking and put my hand on that area and I felt him kick my hand! I tried to get him to give a repeat performance, but he got shy.

It is just too fun! I love being able to feel him and have him "communicate" with me that way.

Jacob is 21 weeks today!

White blood cells are under production. Leukocytes (or white blood cells) form our body's defense systems. They help fight infections and diseases.

Your little one's skin has changed from translucent to become more opaque.

Your infant's tongue is fully formed. If you were able to peek you might catch your son practicing giving you a raspberry (ouch)!

Baby swallows more this week. After your baby takes in amniotic fluid, his body absorbs the water in the liquid and moves the rest into the large bowel. This is good practice for his digestive system!

Wake and sleep periods become more consistent. Some research suggests that baby sets his internal clock to match the outside world's even before birth! Your eating and sleeping habits as well levels of light and noise serve as his signals. (that is just too interesting! See, my baby is getting on a schedule already!)

Baby measures about 10.51 inches and weighs nearly 12.7 ounces. (the baby weighed 12oz at our sonogram last week)

What's in a name?

Jacob: benevolent
1 John 2:17, "And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

True: (there is an abundance of meanings) real; genuine; authentic; sincere; not deceitful; loyal; faithful; steadfast; reliable, unfailing, or sure; honest; honorable; upright - Oh Lord may that define our son!

Why did we choose these names? When I staffed at Worldview Academy, one of the speakers had a son named True. I thought it was the most unusual, yet intriguing name. He is name after an author from a long time ago (hopefully I'll find out who and exactly why and be able to share that with you one day). More than the reason why Jeff named his son True, the meaning of the name and what it stands for means so much to me. Just look at the definition - don't I have high hopes for my children? As my mom put it, "it is an amazing virtue!"

Why Jacob? Well, first it is Jacob, not Jake or JT - Jacob. We picked the middle name first and then went backwards, kind of. I have liked that name and it was a toss up between that and another name, but Adam really liked Jacob.

Benevolent means: characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings; desiring to help others; charitable; intended for benefits rather than profit.

I realized that after we decided for sure on his name, I really didn't remember all of the details of Jacob's story in the Bible. Adam and I have looked into a little (and I'll share what we are finding as we keep studying). Jacob wasn't perfect and there are some things that I wish he didn't do, but he is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel - what a legacy. There is this amazing dream that God gave him and I've decided to claim it for my Jacob, but I'll share more about that later.

I hope you understand a little bit more what our son's name means and why we choose it. It is amazing how much more excited I am now that I can call him something and know more about him. He has and identity and an amazing destiny on his life. I can't wait to see what kind of a man God is going to shape him into!

Our Jacob True is 20 weeks old!
Tomorrow I'll post about what his name means and why we chose it.

The rapid growth stage is about over. While things have slowed down, this next stage is vital to survival.

The baby's heart grows stronger. Find a quiet place, lay flat on your back. Locate your own heartbeat by finding your pulse. Next lay your hand on your belly. You may be able to distinguish the two heartbeats!

His legs are reaching their relative size. With the increase muscle develop occurring as well, you will start feeling much more than tiny flutter kicks soon!

Immunities are being transferred from you to your baby now. These immune cells will protect him from viruses you've already had for up to six months after birth!

The nerve cells for taste, smell, hearing, seeing, and touch are now developing in specialized areas of the brain. Production slows down as existing nerve cells grow larger and make more complex connections.

Your baby may startle in reaction to loud sounds. Amazingly, he can actually hear noises outside of the womb. Familiar voices, music, and sounds that baby becomes accustomed to during his development stages often are calming after birth.

It's a . . .

BOY

Today we met our son - Jacob True Shaw.

He is measuring 20 weeks + 2 days (I am 20 weeks along), is 12oz and his heart beats at 130 beats per min.


It was soooo fun! I was surprised at how long it lasted. It was so neat to get to spend so much time with him and watch him move around. Of course I cried and laughed, but I had to stay still so that we could see him so I tired to keep my emotions to a minimum.

I have a son growing inside me!

Almost time . . .

. . . for our little one to let us know what it is. I cannot wait! I am sooooo excited! I'll have the announcement posted by noon. Whooo-hoooo!

Family Picture

You think Garnet would ever be calm enough to let us take pictures like this with our little one?

Almost Time!

I went to the doctor today and got to hear the heartbeat again. It is so fun. The heartbeat was in the 140's and then began to speed up - the doctor said that the baby was moving then.

I still can't believe there is a little person inside me! The more I think about it, the quicker tears well up in my eyes, so I'm going to move on now so that I don't get funny looks at work.

It is almost time to find out if the baby is a boy or girl. We have an appointment for Tuesday morning and by noon (at the latest) we'll know. I can't wait!!!!!!!!

19 weeks tomorrow . . . almost half-way there!
(the picture is not of the Shaw baby - just a random baby from the website where I get this info)

Your baby has the same awake and sleep patterns of a newborn. He has a favorite position for sleep and recognizable active and rest periods.

Throughout baby's body, nerves are being coated with a fatty substance called myelin, which insulates the nerves so that impulses can flow smoothly.

Scalp hair becomes apparent this week. It has sprouted and continues to grow.

The milk teeth buds have already developed and over the next few days the buds for the permanent teeth will begin to form behind the milk teeth.

If baby is female the uterus starts to develop. If you're having a girl, the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes are in place.

If it's a boy, the genitals are distinct and recognizable.

Your baby is swallowing amniotic fluid and his or her kidneys are making urine.

Your little one's size is around 6.02 inches and 8.47 ounces.