Rough Two Weeks

Hey guys!


Life has been moving a little bit too quickly lately.  Sad events have plagued my family lately with my wonderful Grandpa Ken Taylor passing away on Friday, May 11th and now my Mom back in the hospital, with no feeling from the waist down and fighting for her life.  Dealing with the death of her father in her condition was hard on her and hard on everyone else.  We just left St. Francis Hospital in Indy where my Mom is now staying and pray that we get some answers soon on what treatment will be best for her going forward.


Sara has dealt with her share of stress through all of this, but has been trying to stay relaxed for Baby Charlotte.  It breaks my heart that Charlotte will never have the chance to meet either of my Grandpa's, but I am so excited to tell her stories about both of them.  Now we just have to get Mom healthy so that Charlotte can enjoy her as much as we all do!  And I know that she will get healthy again, I can see it in her eyes.  She refuses to let these hospital stays get her down, it is amazing to see.


Sara is still feeling healthy and strong.  Her baby bump is becoming more prevalent, but it has not slowed her down at all. We had a great first birthing class and feel like this will be great preparation in our attempt to deliver Charlotte naturally.  She was a trooper and took me to Chicago on Saturday for my birthday to the Cubs vs. Sox game and we had a great night at Wrigley watching the Cubs get stomped!


Here are the latest developments that Charlotte has experienced in Weeks 24 & 25...


Week 24


She is growing steadily at this point and is weighing in at over a pound.  Her figure is lean and will be getting more plump in the weeks ahead.  Her taste buds are developed and her lungs are almost fully developed as well.  Her skin is so thin and translucent, but that will change soon.


Week 25


Charlie is now around 13.5 inches long and weighing in at a pound and a half.  That's my girl!  She is starting to acquire some baby fat on her frame.  As the baby fat becomes more prevalent, her wrinkly skin will turn to the smooth skin of a newborn baby.  She should be growing more hair at this point (I'm nervous since my lumpy head didn't see its first follicle until age 3).  Also, as Charlotte gains weight, she is expanding Sara's little belly and making her belly button pop out (you can see this in the Week 25 pic if you look close).


Here are the pictures of Sara and Charlotte from Weeks 24 & 25:

Hope to talk to you all soon, love you guys!

Love,

Josh, Sara, and Charlie

Charlotte Ann Wiencken

Fam,

Barring the slim odds that the gender was misdiagnosed, I want you to get used to the name Charlotte.  Each day we get closer to seeing her little face and we can't wait.  Sara is getting used to feeling her little feet as they about bust out of her belly.  I love resting my hand on her belly and feeling Charlotte move around.  Sara definitely has a baby bump now as Charlotte continues to grow like a weed.

This is Week 23, sorry that I got so behind on these updates.  A lot has happened!  For one, my Mom has been declared Cancer FREE!  This was the best news in the world and I want to thank everyone who said a prayer and contributed to her positive thinking.  We have also been spending time getting Charlotte's room ready and registering for her Baby Shower on June 30th.  Our heads were absolutely spinning as we walked the aisles of Buy Buy Baby with the scanner gun.  I am officially terrified (mostly about emptying my wallet).  Luckily, we had the unbelievable expertise of Sara's great friends and new mothers, Stacey and Ginger.  Their presence was comforting to say the least.

We had another visit at the Doctor today and got to hear the heartbeat again.  Sara's belly was measuring right on target and Charlotte's heartbeat sounded great.  I sat there and held Sara's purse as usual.  Tomorrow we start our birthing classes.  This will be the first of eight.  I am trying to be supportive and not be skeptical, but the class takes place at a lady's home residence.  I'll fill you in on my thoughts next week...

Since I missed a couple of weeks, here is what happened in Charlotte's development during Week 22 and now Week 23:

Week 22

Charlotte was 11 inches and nearly 1 pound.  She was starting to look like a miniature newborn.  Her lips, eyelids, and eyebrows were becoming more distinct, and she's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath her gums.  Her eyes have formed, but the colored part of her eye still lacks pigment.

Week 23

This week, Charlotte has been groovin'.  With her sense of movement well developed by now, she can feel Sara dance (If you have seen Sara dance, I'm not sure if this is positive news).  She is now about 12 inches long and weighing in at over a pound.  Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare her for breathing and the sounds that her increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world.  I've been talking to her and preparing her for meeting our dogs Sampson and Laney.

Here are pics from the last two weeks so that you can see the baby bump developing...

Until next time family, we love you guys!

Josh, Sara, & Charlotte