Our Pride and Joy

Is he cute or what? My students today told me he looked like a little monster when I showed them the picture. Gotta love their honesty! Yesterday was our 35 week appointment as well as our last Childbirth class. Needless to say we were looking quite forward to the day! This was by far our longest ultrasound yet and besides the moment of finding out it was a boy, I'd say it rated right up there with incredibly special moments during the pregnancy. I couldn't help but think this was probably the last time we'd ever experience such a special ultrasound, so I think I was just feeling especially thankful to truly be in the moment. When I saw this photo, my eyes immediately filled with tears. I couldn't believe the emotions I felt when I saw his little eyes open and close and his mouth move. I can't even imagine how amazing it will be when I see him in person and not on a screen. They had quite a hard time getting any good shots of him, so we were thankful for this one. It's still a little fuzzy, but hopefully you can see his right eye, nose, and mouth. His head is smushed right up next to the placenta (poor guy!) so that's why you're just seeing half a head shot. We also got to see his two little feet kicking around. They were so tiny and cute! He's measuring at 5lbs. 8oz. and is still right on track for March 9th.

The bummer part was that he is definitely breech. He must be taking after his stubborn daddy already! :) It explains that this big round lump that sticks out up by my rib is a head and not his bottom like I was hoping it might be. They seem to think that if he was going to turn he would've done it by now, but didn't seem to completely rule out the chance that he still might make a move for the head-down position. They commented several times on how much amniotic fluid I had still, so he still has some wiggle room. The ultrasound mentioned possible C-section around week 38 but I definitely think the doctor will have much more insight for us. Unfortunately though, he got called away on a delivery during our ultrasound so we didn't get to meet with him to get his opinion and feedback on how to proceed. We go back Monday though, so not too long to wait for more info. Several friends have told us that their babies didn't turn until the very end of pregnancy, so we're not giving up hope yet!

Speaking of fluid, I seem to be gaining it like crazy! I don't feel like my belly is getting that much bigger but my legs are out of control! So not attractive and I'm very thankful that it's not short season. :) My calves and ankles are so swollen. It physically hurts by the end of the day and I'm having a very hard time finding shoes or socks for that matter. I've been gaining weight rapidly, but I'm hoping it's attributed to the fluid. I'm planning on asking the doc about that on Monday as well. Surely it COULDN'T be my ravenous appetite. Ha Ha! Actually, I seem to be getting full a little quicker lately so I'm hoping that will continue to help me eat a tad less for the next few weeks.

As excited as I was to begin our childbirth classes, I was a little excited for them to end as well. It made for long evenings! Last night was exciting though because we went up to the Labor and Delivery floor and got a tour. The wing itself was pretty nice.....clean, quiet, private. The rooms you are in for labor and delivery are a nice size, but the room you stay in afterwards seemed pretty small! All the rooms are private, a few suites (which are just first come first serve based on availability), have a little sleeper sofa for the daddy, etc. Pretty basic....nothing elaborate, but enough to be comfortable in. They encourage you to keep the baby in your room as much as possible, but they do have a small nursery if needed. As nice as the hospital is as a whole, we were a little surprised there weren't more bells and whistles, but I think it will all be just fine in the end!