Still Heads Up

We're up to weekly appointments now, and Davey was able to go with me today. I've been sick the past two days with a fever and congestion, so hopefully this post will be coherent. Our wonderful little baby, who is doing great and growing lots, has decided to stay breech. There is still a chance he/she can flip, but being this late, it is not as likely. Soooo, we're having to realistically consider our options now. I've read about this a lot the past week, and after discussing it at the dr's office today, we will most likely go the C-section route if Baby does not turn since it's the safest way in a breech presentation. This is definitely not how we imagined things, and I won't lie: there's a part of me that's disappointed. However, I'm also so excited and incredibly thankful that our child is healthy and thriving. It's really a mixture of feelings (thanks, hormones). God has known all along whether baby would be breech or turn over, and He ultimately knows how we will deliver. We want to choose what's best for our child, even if that means changing our plans. As I deal with all this, I'm trying to keep an accurate perspective: Baby is healthy and safe, and we want to keep it that way.

On a funnier note: I always try to look for the upside in things, even having a fever for two days and feeling pretty rotten. Want to know the upside? Thanks to all the rest and staying off my feet the last two days, my ankles aren't swollen anymore! I'm happy about this for totally superficial and vain reasons. I'll never complain about my bony ankles again! :)

Heads Up 7 Up

I had my routine appointment on Friday, and everything is still going great. When Heather (CNM, certified nurse-midwife) went to check the heartbeat, she was laughing because the baby had the hiccups and was jumping all over the place. She said we certainly don't need to worry about this kid's movement! My stomach is still measuring the way it should, and other vital signs look great. My iron levels are up from last time which is good, but still not quite high enough, so I'll continue taking an iron supplement twice a day. After feeling my stomach, she thought she felt the baby's butt up high near my ribs, but she went and got the ultrasound machine just to check. Well, when she looked she said "Stubborn kid. That's a head." So, I'm doing exercises a few times a day to try to get Baby's bum out of my pelvic cavity so he or she can flip over. My stomach is so compact and tight there's just probably not that much room left to easily wiggle all the way around. Fortunately, less than 5% of babies stay breech until delivery, so our prayer is that Baby will flip in the next 5 weeks so we can have a regular delivery. She said if the baby doesn't turn, we'll talk about options at next week's appointment. I'm trying not to think about it too much. I keep thinking "Turn, Baby, turn" as I rub my tummy. It sounds silly, but it can't hurt. Please pray that Baby will flip heads down. While the ultimate goal is to get Baby here safely, I really don't want a C-section unless absolutely necessary.

34 weeks

I love getting weekly updates from different websites about Baby's development, and this particular one has great pictures. I thought I'd post it for anyone interested. This is approx. what Baby looks like (size wise at least) at this point. Lungs are much more developed, and most babies weigh somewhere between 4 to 5 lbs. In the next few weeks, more and more fat will be added daily so our kiddo can stay warm outside the perfectly temperature controlled environment he or she is in now. Speaking of "he" or "she," it looks like we've had a lot of votes and BOY is winning. The fun part is that we will all know VERY soon!

I'm the Big Brother

I just couldn't resist. I found this dog t-shirt online, and realized it was just simply meant to be. Some things in life are just too darn cute! Rudy waddled around at first, not sure of this new thing on his back, but as soon as he saw his frisbee, he forgot about it. We put it away to save until Baby gets here.

Vote for Baby

Thank you to all the wonderful friends and family members that blessed me with a baby shower yesterday. I had a great time, and I love you all so much. Thanks Mrs. Brenda, Mrs. Sheree, and Avery for hosting.

I wanted to tell everyone that I added a poll to the blog (top right of page). Let us know what you think Baby is! Boy or girl, I think that Baby is a kick boxer :)

Basketball Anyone?

Well, I haven't updated lately because there simply hasn't been too much to write about, and that's a good thing! I had my regular check-up on Wednesday, and the doctor thinks that Baby is in the head-down position. Of course, he or she could flip a number of times before delivery, but this is a change from our last ultrasound when Baby was sitting in the breech position (butt down). Last week and weekend I did have a bout with sciatic nerve pain, which if you've ever had before you know isn't fun. The doctor's theory was that if Baby has flipped over, being sideways for a few days could have been what got on my nerves, so to speak. After resting all weekend with ice on my lower back, getting a massage on Monday, and learning some great stretches, I haven't had any problems this week. Last Saturday when I was hobbling around my house, I wondered how I was ever going to work if the sciatica kept up, but thankfully God doesn't give us more than we can handle. At least now if it does act up, I know how to deal with it.

So, things are going really well. As you can tell from the picture, I sort of look like I've swallowed a volleyball or basketball, depending on who I talk to. That seems to be the comment lately. My students at school tell me every day, "Ms. Sarah! That baby's growing!" Davey and I have been laughing at Baby's feet (or whatever it is) that like to kick out on my side. Quite entertaining.

If you're wondering, the new picture at the top of the blog is in fact my stomach. I was having fun with my camera and photo editing the other day. Definitely not professional, but I think it's pretty cute.

Yaaaaaay!

Praise God! I had an ultrasound yesterday to measure Baby, and he/she's gained a whole pound in the last 2 weeks, putting us in the 15th percentile!!! Baby now weighs around 3 lbs. (up from 2 lbs.) and is in the normal range, which means no more specialist appointments. We loved that doctor's office, but we're glad we don't need to go back. Just in case you needed a reminder: God still answers prayers, and this is a great example of that. Whether or not you've been praying with us, take a moment today and thank God for helping Baby to grow. I always tend to run to Him in the hard times, but a goal of mine in the last few years is to thank Him for all His provisions and blessings as well. We have so much to be thankful for!

Oh, and the funny part? The ultrasound tech said that it's the baby's head that helped so much with the weight gain! Thank you to all you mothers out there who just gave a sympathetic groan. What can I say? We did pray for a growth spurt!

Next regular OB check-up: today (Thursday, Jan. 22nd). We'll be back on the 2-week appointment schedule from now until the last month.

Thanks to everyone who reads our blog (or "stalks" the blog, as a few of you have told me you do) :)