Breaking news

I had the first of my now weekly baby check ups yesterday, and I'm happy to report everything is looking great! It was determined at my appointment two weeks ago that from here on out I would be subject to something called a non stress test, the occasional growth ultrasound, and then my usual visit with my doc. You can probably guess that yesterday included an ultrasound, and although we hadn't anticipated having any more after the one at 20 weeks, it was fun to get another glimpse at the little man. And we are happy to report, he is still just that - a little man! The sonographer was kind enough to confirm this and assure us that we didn't need to make a frantic switch to pink on the store registries. Other facts learned from the ultrasound are that he currently weighs 4 pounds, 10 ounces, he's in the 63rd percentile for his size (according to my doc this is great...what would I know), and I was measuring just a few days ahead at 33 weeks exactly. In addition his brain, heart, kidneys, spine, etc. all checked out again. After the ultrasound wrapped it was on to the non stress test (hereafter referred to as NST), which is just a matter of hooking me up to a machine and having me lay around in a recliner while the machine monitors JJ's heartbeat, my pulse, my blood pressure, and whether or not I'm having any contractions (none yesterday thank goodness!!). It ended up being a lot less intimidating a procedure than I had expected and I almost fell asleep during the 45 minutes or so that I was there. JJ and I checked out with high marks and off we went to see Dr. M. My visits with her are usually short and sweet - even shorter this time because I'd already been weighed, already had my blood pressure taken, already heard/seen the heartbeat twice. So all she had to do was measure the old belly and as the day had already indicated, everything was on track there too. I did think to ask her one question though based on all of my test results that morning: "Based on his weight today, do you have any idea what we're looking at when he's born?". Her response: "Well, he's not going to be any 6 1/2, 7 pounder." Hmmmm. Really? Just what does that mean? I'm not sure if she was being nice when she said "Probably around 8 pounds" or if it was the truth. I guess we'll find out soon enough. :)

Oh, one more thing - how could I forget! The sonographer also told us that JJ is currently head down, i.e., in the right position to enter this world the natural way. I was happy to hear that and even happier when Dr. M said it was unlikely that he could flip at this point. For the duration of this pregnancy I've known that there's a chance I could have a planned c-section, particularly if I show any signs of pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure), but to know that things are at least starting out right for a natural delivery is reassuring. My BP has been great at every appointment so hopefully it continues to stay that way.

Finally, you might be wondering where proof is from yesterday's ultrasound. We did receive four pictures, but I have to admit I'm not a fan of any of the profiles. There are two side shots, and on both I seem to have an inability to distinguish which is his nose, upper lip and lower lip. There is also a forward-facing shot, but it's shadowed and although cute because JJ is sleeping and his eyes are closed, you can only see one of those cute closed eyes. It's creepy. Finally, and the only share-worthy one, is his foot. Yep, that's all folks, just a foot. Not too exciting, huh? I think I'll just leave this ultrasound's results to the imagination. The real live thing will be here soon anyway!