Now We Play Catch Up

We have been to the East Coast and back for Poppy's funeral.  It was a nice funeral -- as far as funerals go.  It feels not quite right describing funerals.  Poppy would have appreciated all the effort but would have felt awkward, I think, at all the attention.  Jonathan delivered a beautiful eulogy and Ethan and I loved it.  The baby kicked the entire time.

And now we're in St. George for our family vacation.  It has been nice being able to relax and enjoy some sunshine, to sleep in. (Our room has black out windows which is very helpful with a certain little boy.)  So far we have spent time in the pool, gone to a nature center and played at a splash pad.  And we've only been here for two days.

The baby continues to kick, roll around, push around and otherwise make her presence known.  She is about 9 and 1/2 inches long and about 1 1/2 pounds (approximately, though these measurements will vary depending on where you look).  Visually, this is taller than two juice boxes stacked on top of each other and heavier than four of the same juice boxes. 

This week, the baby is working hard on developing her lungs.  This might be why she is is so busy rolling around -- she is actively working on making those little lungs breathe in and out as she is practicing inhaling and exhaling even though she technically doesn't need to. (Right now she "breathes" through the amniotic fluid -- the idea of that makes my brain hurt.)  She's able to practice because her little itty bitty nostrils are opening up this week!  The whole process of this is so miraculous to me that I am incredibly humbled.  Everything is in its proper order and sequence.

Something I don't really understand but is somehow related to her nostrils opening is that of her vocal chords.  Now that her nostrils are opening her vocal chords will now begin to develop.  I suppose this makes sense since for us "big people" we would see an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist if ever we were to need one.  So clearly these are all related.  I think that just thinking of these little babies from the beginning and their development right from the get go is what is so crazy to me. 

I do not recall if I've already mentioned this, but also at this point the baby is developing her memory!  I can already sense this as I feel her naturally gravitating towards "favorite" spots in my belly.  She better enjoy it while she can because she is going to run out of room soon!

Ethan has been a fantastic big brother and protector.  He was very protective of me back east and very watchful.  It has been so sweet to see him grow up and fall into this role so naturally.  I am extraordinarily proud of him as he is taking care of me and his baby sister.  He watches me like a hawk and even though he is still very much a little kid and does little boy things, he is growing up to be a big man -- he holds the door for me, makes sure I am eating the right things, keeping things off the floor so I don't trip, helps me out of chairs (I always need that kind of help, oy) and is ever watchful.  I don't think my heart could be fuller.