17 weeks

So this post is a little late...one week late. I'm 18 weeks now.

How far along: 17 week s (due August 18)
Size of Baby: "Your baby weighs nearly 5 ounces and is a little over 5 inches long—about the size of a baked potato"
Total Weight Gain/Loss: no change
Maternity Clothes: not yet, sporting the Belly Band sometimes though.
Gender: unknown, won't know till the end of April.
Movement: I starting feeling what I suspected was baby movement over the last two weeks. Definitely feeling baby move now. Thomas even got to feel a kick/squirm/whatever baby is doing in there.
Sleep: Usually one middle of the night wake-up, then trouble falling back asleep. But thankfully I’m not feeling tired during the day. It helps that I go to bed at like 8:30pm.
What I miss: being able to wear whatever I want. My pants rotation is limited.
Cravings: salty. sour cream and onion Ruffle chips. Chocolate.
Symptoms: I get a full stomach quickly and then feel too full. I get excited that what I eat will stay down, and want to eat it all, but then I eat too much and can’t move, haha.
Best Moment of the week: Thomas getting to feel baby moving!

    I am so grateful for the blessing of life, given to women in their womb by our creator. And that life that you are given sometimes isn’t from your own womb, maybe another woman carried your baby and God brought that baby to you through adoption. But at one point that life was in a woman’s womb, starting from mere zygotes and on its way to becoming a fully formed human. Only God can orchestrate such a miracle!
    I want to celebrate this life inside me, but I don’t want to forget those that have lost the life of their child. There have been recent happenings in my little world involving new life. A friend was able to finalize the adoption of her son and give him a forever home. A friend’s baby girl was born in to heaven. Another friend lost a really new life that was in her womb. A bloggy friend is starting the process of adopting two young boys from Africa. Two bloggy friends announced a pregnancy. I’m not sure what my point is. Basically, I know how easy it is to celebrate new life, whether it is adoption or pregnancy, or even a new life for someone through Christ. But what about when that new life is no longer?
    Not many days go by when I’m not reminded how fragile life is. Some blogs I read that tell a story of losing a child are all written by Christian women, all have faith in Christ and hope in Heaven. I am amazed by their stories and commitment to Christ, knowing that all is done for God's glory. It’s the times when you’re hurting the most that you cry out to God for peace, hope, understanding. I couldn’t imagine the stories of those who’ve faced loss without Christ. I’ve heard it quoted that it’s”the difference between night and day.” I bet it is. Darkness without the hope of Christ, a ray of light with Him.
    Again…what’s my point? When you are celebrating new life and praising God, don’t forget those that have lost a life and are missing their child. And likewise, when mourning the loss of a life and crying out to God, don’t forget to praise him for the new life only He creates.