How far along: 26 weeks
Weight gain/loss: After all that yummy thanksgiving food, I would say definitely 9 or 10 pounds!
Sleep: So good. I even took a three hour nap after church this morning.
Rings: On.
Showing: Yep!
Cravings: I think all of my cravings were met this past week. Especially with that pumpkin cheesecake. Chelsey, I definitely need that recipe!
Gender: Girl.
Best Moment this Week: I loved getting to spend time with so many family and friends this week. I could truly feel the love that they have for Eric and I and miss Madison. We truly have so so much to be thankful for <3
Looking Forward To: Another week with Madison! I can't believe we are already at 26 weeks, time needs to slow down. I can tell you that I'm not looking forward to my doctor's appointment on Thursday- I have my glucose test to check for gestational diabetes. Positive vibes that I pass and don't have to do the 3 hour test! At least I'll get to hear Madison's heartbeat again :) Oh, and we set up an appointment to get a 3D ultrasound done at the end of December in Evansville. I can't wait to see Madison again and see what she's looking like in there!
How far along: 25 weeks
Weight gain/loss: 8 pounds for sure, probably more like 9.
Sleep: Still sleeping pretty good. I don't ever hear Eric's alarm go off in the morning, it's only once he comes in to tell me goodbye that I wake up haha. And this cold weather has made my skin so dry! I usually wake up at least once itching my legs. Thankfully once I put some lotion on them they don't itch anymore.
Rings: On.
Showing: Yep!
Cravings: All sorts of fall soups- chili, chicken and noodle, vegetable. This fall weather has gotten me in the mood!
Gender: Girl.
Best Moment this Week: I would have to say a dream that I had on Wednesday night. It was about Madison's birth. Well, technically I don't remember dreaming about her being born, but more like immediately after. I remember waking up in the hospital with her in my arms. She was absolutely beautiful. She had tons of hair and the biggest, most striking eyes I've ever seen. I've tried my hardest to remember what color they were, but I'm assuming she got her daddy's brown eyes (but I can hold on to what little chance there is for her to have blue eyes haha!). I looked at her and said, "Hi Madison, I'm your mommy," and she looked at me and gave me the biggest smile. I knew that everything was going to be ok after that. I don't remember much from that point on, but I do know that Kaci and Kendra both made it that first day to see her. The next day (Madison lived two days in my dream), I was holding her and making a list of some sort, probably a list of all the things I need to do to get ready for her arrival. I remember her breathing seemed slower and weaker. She passed away in my arms. Not long after that, Ashley made it to see her. Around that time, my alarm went off to wake me up and bring me back to reality. I don't know the last time I have remembered a dream, and one that seemed so real at that. I hope I never forget it.
Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving! Bring on all the food, all of it! Thanksgiving food is definitely my favorite. And getting to see family is a plus as well.
How far along: 24 weeks
Weight gain/loss: 8 pounds.
Sleep: Like a rock!
Rings: On.
Showing: Yep!
Cravings: Salty and sweet. And meat. Thank goodness we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings on Friday, I love me a chicken wrap!
Gender: Girl.
Best Moment this Week: Eric finally felt her!!! We were laying in bed on Monday night and I tell Eric that she is literally doing somersaults in my stomach. So he immediately puts his hand on there, and of course she stops (I tell you what, she got that orneriness from her daddy!). So I tell Eric to just wait a little bit, and sure enough she gives a big pop right where his hand was. I slowly looked up at Eric and asked if he felt that, and he said that he thought so. I push down where she had kicked, and Eric agreed that that was where he felt it. So yay!! That was exciting. Then on Friday, I met with Cynthia, the woman who has also lost a baby girl to anencephaly. It was so nice to talk to someone who has walked this path and hear the advice she had to give me. I look forward to meeting with her again and continuing our friendship.
Looking Forward To: Learning more about Madison's personality. She hates it when I'm editing pictures and put my computer up on my stomach. At least I think she hates it because she always starts kicking as soon as I put it up there. And she likes chocolate, and McDonald's french fries. And to do somersaults as soon as I lay down for bed. I can count on her kicking around 2 in the afternoon, I'm guessing as soon as my lunch kicks in. She's an active little thing!
How far along: 23 weeks
Weight gain/loss: I'm up 8 pounds total so far.
Sleep: Still sleeping really well. I've found I love sleeping on my back (which I usually don't ever do) and on my left side (which I do all the time).
Rings: On.
Showing: Yep.
Cravings: All the sweets. Especially since they told me that my next appointment I will get checked for gestational diabetes. Guess it's time to start laying off the chocolate...
Gender: As far as I know she's still a girl.
Best Moment this Week: We picked a name! We are so excited to introduce you to Madison Nichole. As you probably know by now, special babies like Madison and Ian deserve names with special meanings. 'Madison' is a surname derived from Matthew "gift of God" or from Matilda "strong fighter". I think that both of those meanings are so very fitting. She is most definitely a gift from God. We prayed for a long, long time for her. And she is also a strong fighter. Despite her fatal diagnosis, she is such a fighter, with a strong heartbeat of 140 and tons of movement. And then 'Nichole' is after two of her aunts- Nichole and Erin (whose middle name is Nichole). We think her name is just perfect.
Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to a few things this week. Tomorrow I'm meeting with a lactation consultant to look into donating my breast milk after Madison is born. Then on Friday I am meeting with a woman from Altamont whose daughter Olivia was born with anencephaly a few years ago. I'm looking forward to talking to someone in person who has been down this road. I have a feeling she will be a valuable resource as we continue on in this journey.
