9/30 We had our latest doctor's appointment--the one where we got to have an extra ultrasound to see how you are growing! As usual, the ultrasound was amazing. We saw you wiggling around and possibly sucking your thumb. We definitely confirmed that you're a boy. You're not shy about showing those parts, but were shy (again) about showing your face to us. Stinker. We did see that you have some nice plump cheeks--your dad blames me for that. Everything looked good. Your heartbeat was 171 beats per minute. The technician took a bunch of measurements; your head, your belly, your femur. Then we met with the doctor, who measured my belly. At almost 32 weeks, I was measuring 38 weeks. 38 weeks! I only gained a pound since my last appointment, but my belly went from 33 to 38 centimeters in 3 weeks. Yowza. Doc then looked over the measurements from the ultrasound and said that it was no surprise that my belly was so big since you were already measuring 6 1/2 pounds. Now ultrasound measurements can be off as much as a pound in either direction, but even at 5 1/2 pounds, you're a pretty big boy already!!! Average sizes at around 32 are typically 3-3 1/2 pounds. Doc was not concerned at this point, said to just keep doing what I'm doing and we'll watch and wait.
In the aftermath, your dad and I cracked a lot of jokes. Calling you a linebacker in the making and Andre the Giant. And wondering just where this giant baby came from?! Your dad and I were in the 7 pound range at birth and you're practically there already!
But then... then the realization hit me. The Doc is warning that you could be big. And that freaked me out a little only because to some extent in our society these days big = c-section a lot of the time. Surgery is the last thing I want. We've spent so much time taking Bradley classes hoping to have a natural birth because I know that it's the best thing for both of us. The good news is that these classes have educated both your dad and I an awful lot. I'm most worried about the Doctors encouraging that I schedule a c-section. They'd have to fight with me for that, unless there's a reason to keep YOU safe. Otherwise, I'm sticking with our plan... wait for your to announce that you're ready to join us and then do what we need to do to get both of us through this safely. If that means the end result is a c-section, so be it. But I don't want to go down that road until it is determined that it's medically necessary.
So, that's that. For now, we wait. Your job is to stay strong, keep growing and stay right where you are for as long as you can.
In lighter news, the day after our Doctor's appointment, we had another appointment. This time, your dad and I dressed up and met with an awesome photographer at Didier Farms nearby to take maternity pictures. We had a blast and got some really great shots to remind us of this time. I think I'm going to get one framed for your room.
We also had our second (and last) Baby Shower, which was thrown by Gramma Hen and Nona Ludwig. It was small, but very nice. Every detail was coordinated, which is to be expected when your Gramma is involved. You, of course, got some fantastic gifts.
Things to remember:
~yummy, yummy Italian food for lunch
~all the little decorated animal cakes!
~the games, especially the one with the candy bars
~receiving your cowmooflage carseat from Nona and G'pa
~receiving a music box containing your dad's baby ring from Gramma
~your first Bears outfit!
~G'pa shopped for you too
~Oma came also and got you a toy to teach you words in English and Spanish
We had a really nice time.
In the coming weeks we have a lot to do still to prepare for your arrival. Your bedroom furniture should be here soon. We still have lots of details to figure out though. And I still have all your clothes and diapers to wash! Thankfully, I know that early on you will need very little. We'll be as ready as we can be...
Keep growing, baby. Just not too much.
No comments:
Post a Comment