The Last Bump Photo?

We went ahead and took this photo yesterday on the off chance that I may no longer be knocked up next week. Three weeks have passed since the last in this series. According to the ultrasound estimates, there's an approximately 7 1/2 pound bun in that oven.

Whether I'm fed up and eager for the belly eviction or content to wait really depends on the day. My hips and low back are killing me, and yet I swam a half mile in perfect comfort a few days ago... Mostly, I'm just eager to meet her.

Last Monday my doctor estimated that it'd probably be another week and a half or so, which would put the arrival right around the due date (July 30th). Schedule-wise, Thursday or Friday of this coming week would be ideal since Andrew will have an astounding day and a half off next weekend, but whether it will actually fall out that way is anybody's guess. Legend has it that first-time moms typically go overdue.

The (1/2) Nursery

I finally got the baby's room/office in order today, and thought I'd share some of the pictures. It seems a bit plain to me still, but I'm looking at it as a work in progress.

That brown hamper thing is for toys, hence the puppet (a female doctor--yes, the pressure's on) clinging to the edge.

The changer turned out to be too big for the dresser. It looks a little odd, but at least we'll have a functional dresser once the kiddo is too big for it. And yes, we're well aware of the distinctly un-kid proof nature of all those things under the desk. As I said, it's a work in progress.

Note the lovely graffiti she'll one day be able to look out on. I am particularly fond of a cartoon rat on that building across the way.

The blanket is my (as yet incomplete) handiwork, the bumper is supposedly SIDS-proof, and the mobile is designed to be stimulating for young eyes. It has more complex and colorful pictures that you can put on as your baby's eyesight develops.

Not too cramped and cluttered for the City of New York, eh?

The Real Final Update on the Umbilical Cord Issue

I went back to the perinatologist today for one last estimate on Emdrew's fetal growth. As I laid down on the table the doctor asked me what I wanted the baby to weigh and I said, "Six and a half pounds." Lo and behold, the number he came up with was six pounds six ounces (very near, if not slightly above, average for this stage). Hooray!

Supposedly from here on out, she'll gain about one ounce every day she remains in the womb, which I'm beginning to hope won't be long. There's still a chance that I'll end up having a C-section if (because of the sub-par umbilical cord) bambina doesn't tolerate labor as well as she should, but we're planning on doing it the old-fashioned way.

And as far as that goes, everything appears to be in order. The baby is slightly off-center, so I've been sleeping on my right side some, but her orientation is generally good. On Monday my OB speculated that she's dropped. I can't tell. However, it might help to explain why my hips and low back have become extremely achy this week. But the leg cramps every time I fall asleep?! Baseless and cruel...

Living Free (and not dying or delivering, thankfully) Once Again in the Great State of NH

A, bambina and I had the distinct pleasure of revisiting New Hampshire this past week. Although the rain kept us inside more than we would have liked, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Tom. We also enjoyed several visits from family friends.

The three of us went in search of a tree to plant in honor for QM's arrival mid-week, and ultimately decided on a McIntosh apple tree. Here are some photos of A. and I giving the baby's tree a permanent home. Whether it will weather this first year without much human intervention remains to be seen, but we'll be keeping our fingers crossed.





Honestly, I mostly supervised. And we also had quite a bit of help from Grandpa Tom.

And here QM and I are taking a post-planting spin around lake. I guess this must be her first boat ride.


On an unrelated note, another highlight from this week was the discovery of this creature hanging from a tiny lip on the eve of the second story of the house. Yes, it's a snake; yes, it's dead; no, we can't fathom how it got it's head wedged in there; and yes, removing it proved disgusting. We showed it to several people, none of whom had seen anything like it. Are we cursed?

The 9ish Month Bump

Since we were once again up in New Hampshire last week, this photo was taken a week late. Five weeks have passed since the last one. Somehow I feel like this picture doesn't do my enormity justice...

Final Update on Emdrew's Umbilical Cord Issue?

A. and I went to get another ultrasound from the Perinatologist / Maternal-Fetal Health Specialist this afternoon to monitor the baby's growth and umbilical cord insertion. Incidentally, my OB was also at the hospital, and someone must have informed her that we were there because she wandered in during my ultrasound. It was comforting to me that both doctors were able to look at the same screen and talk about what they were seeing.

The consensus: it seems that this kid and I are making the best of our situation. Phew! Although the cord is pretty clearly velamentous (see my "Not Good News" post for an explanation), the placenta and cord have moved well away from the cervix. This means that the cord is not at increased risk of rupturing when my water breaks.

And most importantly, the cord has not yet failed to supply the baby with an adequate blood supply. The doctor estimated that she currently weighs a whopping 4 pounds and 4 ounces, which is very average for her age. My OB and I were somewhat concerned by the fact that I hadn't gained much weight in recent weeks, but it hasn't apparently slowed bambina down at all. The Perinatologist just chided A. for not taking me out often enough and sent us on our way.

We promptly feasted on Indian food and headed home to prepare for a full weekend of childbirth classes (to which A. is thoroughly looking forward). My sense is that I won't be having any extra ultrasounds, and that this pregnancy will be regarded as largely normal from here on. Hooray! Now to get the next six to nine weeks over with...

Oh yeah, the ultrasound technician also showed A. and I that QM is working on a nice little crop of head hair. I'm sure she'll rub it all off in no time, but hey, hair's nice. Bets on the color, anyone?

The 8? Month Bump

Here am I just shy of 32 weeks now. This time a full four weeks have passed since the last photo in this series.

Some would argue that this isn't truly 8 months yet because when you count it out in 4 week increments a pregnancy is 10 months long. In any case, I've potentially got about two more months to go. So near and yet so far...