Week 29

Well, no news is good news. Natalie, our midwife, said she'd only give us a call if our test results or ultrasound were abnormal or of any concern. This pleases us. Glucose normal. Antibodies normal. No Anemia.

There was a moment toward the end of the ultrasound where Hallie asked "so, everything seems okay?" There was a pause, a breath, and then a "uh-huh." The answer was affirmative. The body language was not. Panic began welling up, and I brutally suppressed it with logic: The pause probably came because her thought process was interrupted as she was focusing on the images & the computer. Yeah. That's it.

I didn't mention this to Hallie. If she didn't notice the pause, there's no need to make her panicky. Let the technician be the technician, let the midwife interpret the data.

Now, as it turns ou,t everything is fine, and yes- Hallie had been going through the same thing while trying not to worry ME. I'm sure this logical panic will continue for another forty years.

Week 28: Midwife Visit

So, if all the calculations are correct, our baby is a whopper. The ultrasound technician claimed that she was "in the 88th percentile." Of course look at Hallie- she's probably in the same percentile for size, too. This does slightly concern our midwife who, regardless of the results of today's glucose test, will order another glucose test in the third trimester to closely watch for gestational diabetes.

Other tests run today were for anemia and antibodies. A small difficulty has been the Rh factor- Hallie's blood type is O- and mine's B+. Since the Rh factors are different, there's the strong possibiliy that the baby has my + Rh and Hallie's body might see it as a foreign body to be rejected. This accounts for several Rogan shots Hallie had to take in the hiney early on du to some spotting. (Which, incidentally, she hasn't seen any of since spring!) Again, we don't have any results for these tests back, they're just what was run today.

The heart rate was 134 beats per minute today. That's a little slower than the last few times of 150, but totally normal. For all those who think you can guess the sex of the baby based on heart rate, go right ahead. I'll bet there's a 50% chance you're right.

The early concern of placenta previa has evaporated, though. Everything is right where is should be with the placenta cleard of the cervix. In fact, the baby's head is down- perhaps not for good, but in the right position for birthing.

All in all a positive day. We learned a few new things, and moved a few steps closer to being parents. Soon the birthing classes start & it becomes that much more real...

Week 28 Ultrasound

Here's the newest ultrasound shots from just one hour ago!

You're looking at the baby's head- the first one is in profile...

This one is turned and you can see some of the facial features.

Getting Bigger

...Spent today transforming the "office" into the "nursery". Out goes the precariously balanced apple boxes full of books. Out goes the computer. In goes the happy turtle rug.



Hallie's still growing. Ruby may not be interested, but you may be- check it out.

...memories of the river

Many thanks to Wendy, John & Anna for letting us use their kayak and explore Hallie's old stompin' ground...er, old splashin' ground, last weekend when we were in Pennsylvania.







This island was a good resting spot for us. The Juniata was August-low, but the the cool water still felt great in that Pennsylvania heat & humidity.











I know Hallie looks like "Queen of the Isle" here, but because my toes were so cute, she allowed me access. We had snacks and skipped stones before heading on our way.

Week 27

We spent all day of the official start of week 27 driving back from the great state of Pennsylvania. Many thanks to all the friends and family who provided our new baby with the cutest toys, blankets, outfits, & books. Especially important are the diapers & wipes that we're now stocked up on as well. And a special thanks to Scott & Jody for finally answering the question: "Now, tell me again- what EXACTLY is a Boppy?" This unseasoned new father can now rest a little easier.

Next Week: New Ultrasound & Glucose test

Headed to Pennsyltucky

There's a baby shower awaiting Hallie this weekend in the great state of Pennsylvania. We're off to bed for a solid day on the road of rest stops and pee breaks. New news will have to await our return home.


Just a technical note: If anyone is reading this blog, you can click on where it says "comments" or "0 comments" and leave a message to this or any other post. I'd love it if you would- This blog doesn't have to be a one-sided communique.

Have fun!

...part two

View of Chimney Pond from Knife Edge

Week 26...are we settled on a name?

Tuesday Again! That makes another week completed in the pregnancy. When I got back from hiking this weekend, I could swear Hallie's belly had grown. She told me that she was writing down ideas for some baby names in her journal and when she got to a particular one (I'm gonna keep the name private for now) she felt a pretty hefty series of kicks. A positive reaction from the little gestating jellybean? The name was a girls name that we both really like. We have also pretty much aggreed (for now) on a boy's name, so that part of the fun may be over... although we still need middle names.

Sorry Jim, but "Quell" is not in the running.

...Didn't Die on the Mountain- part one

A little off the subject of baby, but I thought my adventure this weekend might make an interesting post.

Joe & I did a rigorous hike this past Sunday up good ol' Mt. Katadhin. For those outtastattahs, BIg K is the highest peak in Maine at exactly 1 mile, and sits in Baxter State Park- a huge park of millions of acres that's managed very tightly, and very well, to be a true wilderness area. Access is extremely limited.

We camped Saturday night and Katadhin Stream Campground and rose at 4am to be on the trail by 5. We climbed the formidable Pomola, and I do mean climb as the sun rose. This was no hike up the last mile, but a nail-biting scramble. Once at the top we caught out breath and began the precarious 1.2 mile traverse across the Knife Edge. Now this trail is described as "not for the meek-hearted". Its 3-6 feet wide all the way across- in some places a steep scramble of rocks drop away from the trail, in other places sheer cliff. Here's a picture.


And here's a picture from the reverse side.



This is from Baxter South Peak looking back the way we came. The two tiny people are on the summit of Pomola. The steep outcropping to their right is "The Chimney" This was definitely the hardest part of the trail. It was full-on rock climbing with a pretty morbid punishment for falling. After the third precarious climb I decided that if there were any more, I would turn back because the fear was starting to take over. Thankfully, the grueling climbs were over and the trail became what I had expected- a moderate hike across boulders with a heck of a breathtaking view.

More on this hike later.

I was worried about things...

But then our family's trusty protector emerged confidently growling: "You're in good hands...er, paws"

Week 25

It's the start of week 25. For some reason Tuesdays mark the beginning of each new week. Why Tuesdays? Ask our midwife. I read that the earliest an infant can be expected to survive is after week 24. In some ways that encourages me as insurance against any coming complications, but it also makes me worry about possible complications. Too much knowledge can make you a nervous wreck.

Hallie's placenta previa for example. It was picked up on our last ultrasound. A dangerous situation if you are ready to give birth-however, at this early date, it is very common and usually corrects itself. So are we worried about it? Sure. Is there anything we can do about it? No. All we can do is try to have the awareness without crossing into fear or stress. It's probably good practice for the rest of our child's life....