Week 34

Well, as most of you know by now, Laura has been put on bed rest because her amniotic fluid number is lower than the doctor wants them. They like for the number to be between 8-18 and last week Laura’s was at 6.8. Well we went in yesterday, and they checked her fluid levels again and as of yesterday, her fluid level was at 8.8. We just want to thank everyone for all of their prayers and thoughts! We know that this was definitely a God thing! Here’s the scoop on Anna this week.

Anna’s crown-to-rump length this week is approximately 12.8 inches and her total length is around 19.8 inches at this time. She now weighs almost 5 pounds.

Anna’s hair continues to get longer and thicker. Her hair color probably is not going to be the same color from birth onwards. She is shedding most of lanugo, but the amount of vernix caseosa is increasing. She is taking calcium from Laura to lay down lots of bone. Laura is continuing to take her prenatal vitamins and drink milk to ensure that she receive enough calcium.

If Laura were to deliver Anna now, it would probably be called a pre-term infant instead of premature. The only difference is in the maturity, particularly lung maturity. A pre-term baby is less likely to need intensive care because its lungs have developed. Doctors can test lung maturity with an amniocentesis that checks levels of surfactant.

Anna now rests on Laura’s uterus and is no longer floating.

Fingernails now reach over the finger tips and Anna can scratch herself.

Week 33 - Meet the Grandparents

I hope you have enjoyed the past 33 weeks of blogs, we only have about 5 weeks left. I have enjoyed giving you weekly updates on Anna's progress, how Laura is doing, a blog from Anna's perspective, and one where Laura typed a message. This week is a special one too. This week we get to hear from Anna's grandparents. I asked them to write a piece for the blog and just talk about Anna and how they are feeling. When Laura and I read them last night, we were both really proud. So, here is the weekly info about Anna and then the grandparents notes will be below that. Also, I have posted a picture of Laura and I with the grandparents and also a new updated pregnancy photo of Laura. I really hope you enjoy!!!




Anna weighs about 4.4 pounds at this point. Her crown-to-rump length is approximately 12 inches and the total length is around 19.4 inches.

With the exception of crying, she is capable of doing everything that a newborn baby will do. She is restricted now inside of the uterus, but still can kick and move. She sleeps a lot of the time, just as newborn babies do. Her eyes move in the manner of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and researchers believe that babies can dream vividly while in the womb. When Anna is awake, she is listening, feeling and learning. There are billions of neurons in the brain that make trillions of connections. Anna should be settled into the birth position by now. If she were to be born now, her lungs would probably be strong enough to function properly, but she may still need extra care from specially trained doctors and nurses.

Anna’s eyes open during alert times and close during sleep. The eye color is usually blue, regardless of the permanent color as pigmentation is not fully developed. The final formation of eye pigmentation requires exposure to light and usually happens a few weeks after birth.

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We were so much more than thrilled when Derrick and Laura told us that they were expecting! Then, when we found out that it's a girl "Nanny" had to stay in the hospital for a few days, although we're sure that was just a coincidence, lol. Anna Marie...even though we haven't met her yet, we couldn't love her anymore! She is already such a blessed little girl! Blessed to have a mommy and daddy that adore her and will set a wonderful example or her. Yes, there will be sleepless nights, and even some worrying here and there but we know you both will do an awesome raising little Anna. Teaching her right from wrong, caring for others and so many other things. But most of all, dedicating her to the Lord, raising her in church and teaching her to love the Lord with all her heart. We can't wait to see her, hold her and watch her grow! We will always love her, be here for her along with "mema" and "papa" and so much more family. We love you Derrick and Laura! And we're waiting for you Anna Marie Smith...our precious little granddaughter! We love you SO much!!!!
- Pa & Nanny Smith
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We could not possibly be more excited about the arrival into our world of little Anna Marie. Anna will a blessed child from day one. Her Mommy & Daddy are so anxious for her to be delivered into their loving arms. I know they will love, cherish and provide for her in the greatest and most excellent ways possible. Also, she will be blessed by being surrounded by an extended family and group of friends that will love her and be there for her all the days of her life. We are ready to see her and hold her and begin the wonderful job of spoiling her just like grandparents love to do - can’t wait!

- Papa & Mema Dyer

Week 32 -

By week 32, Anna weighs nearly 4 pounds! Her crown-to-rump length is approximately 11.7 inches and her total length is about 18.9 inches.

Now that she has grown so long, Laura is noticing a new discomfort. Anna is probably head-down and may occasionally stretch out and kick Laura’s ribs. The pressure on her rib cage can make her sore, especially if one of Anna’s feet becomes caught. To help prevent this, they recommend Laura sit up straight as much as possible. Because Anna’s demands for vitamins and minerals are higher than ever right now, Laura is continuing to take her parental vitamins for the entire pregnancy.

This week Anna’s movements will peak. The wrinkles in Anna’s face are disappearing and fat is still being deposited throughout her body. Anna’s growth is slowing down from here on out.

I’m not going to give away any secrets, but in the next couple of weeks, we are going to have the regular blogs, but we are also going to have some special entries. You’ll have to wait and see who they are. Also, I will try to get some recent pictures on here.

I hope you have enjoyed keeping up with Anna and Laura during the past 7 ½ months. It has been such an awesome time in my life. I had always hoped for this time in my life, but never thought the buildup would be this amazing…and she’s not even here yet! Laura and I are blessed to have such amazing family and friends. We love you guys very much!!!

Week 31

Anna Marie Smith is continuing to grow each week. Her crown-to-rump length is nearly 11.2 inches and her total length is approximately 18 inches. She weighs approximately 3.5 pounds at this point.

Anna can turn her head from side to side. She is getting very active as she is moving constantly, kicking and punching very frequently.

This week marks an incredible milestone in Anna’s lung development. Before now, the air sacs and branches in her lungs were present but not functional. The lungs were not able to inflate properly. However, now there is surfactant being produced in her lungs. Surfactant prevents her lungs from collapsing outside of the uterus and the baby is able to take in air and breathe properly. The fetal ear is almost completely developed both inside and out. She can hear your voice and other familiar sounds that she will recognize after birth. She is putting on white fat under the skin and the skin's color is pink instead of red at this point. Her fingernails have grown to the end of her fingers and she may scratch herself while she is in the womb.

Laura has now been taking insulin for about a week. Her numbers have gone down to better than what they were but they still aren’t ideal. But we believe that God has everything under control and that he will be with Laura and Anna during this time.

I have enjoyed the past few weeks, being able to “talk” to my daughter. It is so awesome when I talk to Laura’s stomach and then after about 30 seconds, little Anna starts kicking/punching about where I am talking. I am so excited about being a dad. When we first found out we were pregnant, everyone would ask me if I wanted a boy or girl. I would always say that I didn’t care as long as he or she was healthy. But now that I know we are having a girl, I am so happy. She is going to be as beautiful as her mother. She is going to have a lot of women to look up to: The world’s Greatest Mom, two wonderful grandmothers, three awesome aunts, two great-grandmothers, and many aunts and cousins on Laura and my side both.

Week 30 - Only 8 weeks, yes 8 weeks!!!!!

Laura had a doctor’s appointment today. We are at the point to where we go every two weeks. As most of you know, Laura has gestational diabetes, which only lasts during the length of the pregnancy. Laura has been checking her blood for the past week and keeping track of them. The doctor did not like the numbers, so for Laura and the baby, she is putting Laura on insulin. There is nothing life-threatening to Laura or Anna, this is just precautionary. Also, we will have an ultrasound every doctor’s appointment to track Anna’s growth and make sure she isn’t getting too big. Also, the doc said that this means that Anna will be making her arrival two weeks early, at 38 weeks. No definite date has been marked but it should be around the week of September 27th. Please keep Laura and Anna in your prayers that God will keep his hand on them and protect them and keep them safe. Also, here is some info about Anna this week.

Anna Marie is about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (about the size of a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face.