Week 33

News? Well, Hallie measures out at 32 cm, and has gained 32 Lbs. So- for anybody concerned that she might not be big enough- she's right on track. She's just so darn tall that she probably doesn't look AS pregnant as somebody smaller.

I'm beginning to see our child birthing class less as an educational experience and more as a comforting distraction to allow our egos the knowledge that we are actively preparing for the birth of our child. If we didn't have this class, we would just be waiting and growing between visits to the midwife. With it, we are preparing to be parents.

...Though I don't want to belittle the knowledge that we've gained. I saw pictures this week of the normal "abnormalities" that may occur in birth- the way newborns don't seem to look in movies or on tv- slightly coned heads, the tiny white dots of Milia, Stork bites, sucking blisters...stuff that won't alarm & concern me now if we encounter them.

I'm also realizing that these classes are not really classes for US, but for ME. Hallie answers any questions that I don't think to ask in class and just seems to know everything. I'm glad she's going to be there at the birth!

:)

Week 32

Another class, another week closer to the birth of our child. I think that stork is getting it's bundle all loaded up and ready for delivery.

New developments are Hallie's belly-button (an unbelievably fascinating topic, let me tell you.) It's no longer flat, and has started to pop out. I wish I had a time lapse of it over the last few weeks- like a pop-up timer, our Thanksgiving turkey looks to be about ready.

But I'm jumping the gun.

After all, she's only 7 months pregnant. I did read that after week 32 your baby has an excellent chance of survival. Excellent. I like the sound of that. (Of course, I like the sound of a full-term delivery a bit more, but I'll take some relief from the worry where I can get it)

We're both a little worried about how our first child, Ruby is going to take this whole "new-baby-in-the-house" thing. Neither one of us think she going to be a big fan right away. She's been numero uno for our attention for quite some time now and we know she's going to feel downgraded soon. I think after she adjusts she'll appreciate her new role as protector...

Week 31

Another checkup, another clean slate.

We attended our second birthing class last night. I'm relieved to say that it was not followed with nightmares involving myconium as last week's class was. This was my anxiety, mind you, not Hal's. We did get to see all the nasty tools that I hope we don't have to use- a screw that augers the electrode into the baby's scalp for more data readings, the suction pump to slurp the tyke out, the scrapers & hooks to disrupt the placenta. And let's not forget the FORCEPS.

What happened to the good ol' days when the men sat in the waiting room with an old copy of Sports Illustrated & a couple of packs of cigarettes?

If anyone's going to need some relief in the delivery room, it's probably me.

Remember the Shower?

Hallie's High School Bud's look on.















Jim enjoys his cake.



















Who's the party animal with the lampshade on his head?















A Baby's Eye view of Tom




















Boy, Hallie sure looks great!




















Jay & Hal can't wait to start their own family.

Week 30

We began childbirth classes last night. The first of six classes. We're a group of 10 couples and everyone else knows the sex of their baby. AREN'T WE SPECIAL!?

Hallie's the best at deep, slow breathing. I thought she'd be good considering the yoga she practices daily and meditation she practices occasionally.

The classes were a good introduction and basic overview of anatomy and what to expect when it came time to deliver. We've got the advantage of being familiar with the hospital, the maternity ward and the nurses (Hallie anyway). As new parents-to-be, I wouldn't call us at ease, but I think we'll be as well prepared as anyone could be.

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.