Thursday, November 13, 2008

4 Weeks Left???

According to all the calendars around my house, my planner, the countdown ticker on this page, and my little countdown chain (a la Christmas time) the baby is due in 4 weeks! It is quite interesting when someone asks me, "How far along are you?" I prefer to answer with "I have 4 weeks left!" That spares them from having to figure out the math if I say "36 weeks along" or "I am 9 months, but not due for a few more weeks."

Lately I have been so anxious for the baby to come. I am actually still quite comfortable, but 9 months is a long time. I should clarify, there are plenty of times when I beg and plead for the baby to get out of my ribs and off my bladder. Then there are those moments when he stretches out his little arms and legs so far out and so strong I think he just my poke out to wave hello! Mostly, I just can't wait to see him and hold him in my arms. Last night I kept having dreams about the baby being born, and in each of my dreams I never felt any kind of pain or contractions!

This morning I had my last ultrasound. Matt came along of course (thanks to his boss for being so flexible with Matt, allowing him to come to all the appointments). The agenda was to check the baby's size and position. Let me tell ya, there is nothing quite like having a bunch of blue jelly squirted in mass quantities all over my massive tummy. I am so happy they warm up the gel. Here are a few pictures from today, and I will add a profile shot from the ultrasound back in August.

This is from August, but we didn't get a profile shot today.
This is an interesting picture, and I don't quite see it, but the ultrasound tech was pointing to my baby's mullet!! The arrow is pointing at his hair, and it a nice thick patch on the back of his head. Party on baby!
This next picture is Rated-R. Viewers should use discretion when viewing this picture of my boy's "man parts!" Yep, definitely a boy!Last but certainly not least, cock your head to the right a little and look at the baby's nostrils, then follow them down to his little lips. What an adorable little (half)-faceI wish I could tell you more about the ultrasound, but pretty early on I couldn't breathe and I started getting dizzy from laying on my back, so the tech had me turn on my side... turned away from the screen. Matt got the opportunity to watch the whole thing though.

The baby measured 7 pounds! She said there can be a one pound discrepancy, so he could be 6 pounds. He can continue to grow at about a half a pound a week, which means if he makes it just to his due date, he is a good 8-9 pound baby! YIKES! I must admit I am a little freaked out! Any moms have any words of wisdom for me? Now I can't wait until next Friday for my next doctor's appointment (and my last day of work too!).

This is such an exciting time for us! Matt and I are working on the nursery, and we spend most of our time together "playing" with the baby. I know that everyone's own child is special to them, and we are no exception. We know how blessed we are to be having a baby, and that we are being trusted with one of God's children. We have already developed such a strong attachment. As we were laying down for bed last night we both verbally said "I love you" to the baby. I just love my two boys so much!

13 comments:

Cristin said...

My advice - don't worry about the size of the baby. I don't think those things are that accurate, they told me Luke was going to be HUGE from his 36 week ultrasound, and he was average size, your body is made to push this baby out, this is what you were meant to do. I have a friend who has HUGE babies - 10 pounders - and she has never - with 5 children - had one c-section. So anyway, you'll do great, very exciting, can't wait to see what the little guy looks like (mullet and all) when he comes out!

Cristin said...

One more thought - an 8 lb baby is a HEALTHY baby, it means you have been doing your job of eating well - you should be proud to have grown such a healthy good sized baby!

Tracy said...

Katie, I am so excited for you and Matt!! I was also told my babies would be a lot bigger than they actually were. Also, I DID have an 8 pound, 15 ounce baby, and it was FINE! Ofcourse, I had epidurals too. :) You and Matt will be fantastic parents. When do you stop working?

Jennifer said...

I think its more the size of the baby's head you should be worried about..lol. I think you will be fine but I totally know how you feel. I remember being a little scared when they told me Hannah was going to be big. She was born 9 pounds 4 ounces and as you know I did have a c-section, but I am a petite person. (and by petite you know I don't mean I'm skinny, I'm short;)) I can't wait to meet your little boy and I think its SO SO sweet how Matt gets all into the baby thing with you. I used to have to beg Dan to feel the baby. He said he'd already felt it he knows what it feels like. lol he can be a brat sometimes. :) ANYWAY, Good luck in the coming weeks and I'm so excited for you!

Katie said...

Cristin: Thanks a bunch, you made me feel so much better. I am glad that I grew a healthy baby!

Tracy: I stop working next Friday (the 21st)

Case Family said...

How exciting. I share your anticipation. I am really excited for you and it is great that everything is going well. As for the baby's weight I am not convinced that they are that accurate. I was told similar things and Lillian was only 7lbs 2 oz. So don't worry. Besides it is completely feasible to deliver an 8 to 9 pound baby. Can't wait to see what Scott looks like.

Daytrippingmom Media said...

Isn't it so exciting. I had two 8lbs 11ozers and the doctor was totally off he said I would be having two ten-11 pounders so they are always off. We can't wait to meet Scott. His cousins are eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Daytrippingmom Media said...

By the way I had a great time at your shower. The YW did such a great job!! I have the pics- I need to email them to you.

MaryAnn said...

Count down! Yeah!
I have a quite a few things to advise. Sorry it's soo long, but it was helpful to me!
1. Sign the epidural paper, just in case. That way your not signing when you are in pain, etc.
2. Get all your mommy recouperating supplies, thick maxi pads, witch hazel pads, motrin, dermaplast. The last thing you want to worry about is going to the store to get that stuff and don't get it from the hospital when you leave they charge like 10x the price at the store.
3.Don't forget to elevate your feet now and when you hold/nurse. I had elephant feet and ankles for 2 weeks! I also wore my maternity clothes for months after, so don't worry about that. Oh!Your belly will feel like jelly, that's normal.
4. Let Matt help out as much as possible. You need to rest and heal even if you feel pretty good, your body needs you to rest.
5. Don't forget to have Matt take pics at the hospital. Once your baby is born it's like a whirlwind of stuff they have to do. I didn't get much time with Sara before they whisked her off for an hour or so. It was a blurr at best.
6.Enjoy what you can about your baby now. Life is about to change in a major way.
7. My friend Marianne told me that having a baby is the new parents' "refiner's fire." It can be difficult and overbearing at times, reach out and ask for help from others and Heavenly Father.
Maybe you'll have an early baby. I missed my last appointment because I was coming home from the hospital with my baby! I'll be praying for ya!

MaryAnn said...

May you have a not long labor.
(I wish I had Cristin's labors.I was about 23 hours from very beginning to end.)

Erin said...

I think I might end up being like Rachel in that friends episode where she freaked out because she couldn't see her baby in the Ultrasound (but pretended to then got called out). I can't really tell what everything is :P but I guess you have had a lot of practice now looking at those pictures.

I'm so excited for you!

Candace said...

I can't wait to meet your little boy. I AM EXPECTING A PHONE CALL. Love you.

Ashley said...

Grin and bear it. Is that good advice?