Little Babes,
We officially have 4 weeks or less until we meet face to face and I couldn’t be more excited. Will you have chunky little cheeks? Hair? A light complexion like mom? Or dark like Dad? Will you be tall like your sister? When will you arrive, how will you arrive? And of course will we be blessed with a son or a daughter? All of these questions are constantly running through my mind, mostly about when and how you will arrive, but the anticipation is exciting! And more than anything, we pray that you are a healthy little nugget!
This morning we had your 36 week check up. It started with an ultrasound to check on your growth and ensure you were in fact head down. As of today, you’re measuring to be right around 7 lbs. with a heart rate between 135 and 145. The blood flow to your heart looks great and everything with your brain appears to be developing well. You are head down and like to keep your arms next to your face, but did cooperate and move them so we could get a little sneak peak of your chunky cheeks–and from the 3D pics, they look chunky! We were also able to see some hair on that head of yours.
Daddy and Lexi both came to the appointment this morning. Daddy was once again amazed at how much we’re able to look at with an ultra-sound and see you squirming around in there. Lexi, was a little less impressed. She knew right away that there was a baby on the screen, but was more interested in what the technician was doing to my belly and wanted to show the technician her belly.
After the ultra-sound we met with Dr. G and she did a quick test for Group B Strep and checked to see how things were progressing. I am dilated to 1 cm, and softening is starting to occur. This surprised me; I’m feeling pretty good and thought I would need to be more uncomfortable like I was with Lexi for any progression to begin. We also talked about how I likely won’t go past my due date if you haven’t arrived by then. Based on your current estimated size and typical growth patters, you would be 9 1/2 lbs! However, Lexi measured a little larger than you did at this same point, and ended up weighing 8 lbs when born so I still think it is all a guessing game at this point, BUT it does feel good to have an official ‘meet’ date in sight.
For whatever reason, this appointment made it feel a little more real for me in the fact that your Daddy and I will be meeting you soon. I still think we have several weeks, but it made me feel the pressure to get some things unloaded off my plate at work in case you do surprise us.
Outside of the Dr. appointment, things are going as expected. In general, I feel so much better than I did with Lexi at this point. I don’t have the itching–which is making sleep much better. I don’t have the pelvic pressure I did with her or the hip pain and feel less anxious for your arrival. There was so much unknown with her and I had never gone through labor or birth and I was constantly thinking about it. This time, I feel like I have a better idea what to expect–but still trying to embrace myself for a completely different experience. I’m also putting less pressure on myself to have everything at home be perfect. I’m not worried about what is in the hospital bag or forgetting something, or even having the car seat in the car. We only live 5 miles from the hospital, which is 1/4 of a mile away from Target–if we forget something, Daddy can easily go get something.
Work continues to be stressful as there is just so much going on and nobody to back me up at this point if you arrive. Additionally, it is just exhausting running from meetings all day and then coming home, making dinner, playing with Lexi, getting her ready for bed and then working for another several hours every night. There is no time to relax at all and just rest.
Until next week…
Love,
Mama
Peanut Smiles 