40 weeks--5 days left!Date: 06/12/2006

Well, I went for another biophysical/Ultrasound today to check on Peanut's weight. Again, the baby scored 8/8, the one dimension that I didn't remember last time was the rate of blood flow through the umbilical cord. All is well there.

The baby is measuring at 6 lbs 13 oz today, which should give us a 6-7 lb baby by Friday, which is D-DAY....That's right, if Peanut isn't here by Friday, I am being induced. The ultrasound tech looked at everything internally and once she conferred with the doctor, it appears that they are optimistic that Peanut will get here sometime this week before Friday.

I would love to go into labor on Friday because I have a 10:30 prenatal massage appointment in the morning and plus my doctor is on call that night.I have been walking and walking so, we'll see if that helps ease Peanut intot he world! We will update you all as soon as we know when it's time!

Biophysical Appt today Date: 06/06/2006

Ok, so I have been going to the dr way too much for my taste, but I guess it is better to err on the side of caution then to just see what happens.

The Dr. ordered me to have a biophysical exam due to her concerns of the baby being small despite the gestational diabetes. But also said, that congenitally the baby is fine, and it just may not be possible for Brian and I to produce a "big" baby. We were both under 8 pounds, he was only 7 1/2 and I was under 7, so we weren't big babies ourselves.

What a biophysical is, is a 30 minute screen (ultrasound) where they look for 4 different factors, 3 of which I remember. 1) amount of amniotic fluid, 2) movement of baby, 3) breathing reflexes 4)movement. You can score 8 points total on this assessment. Any thing lower might signify a problem. Peanut got an 8 out of 8.

She said everything looks fine. So now I go back on Thursday for my regular appt and a non-stress test.

36 Week Dr ApptDate: 05/19/2006

Went to the dr yesterday for the weekly appointment, which turned out to be a long one! I had a surprise ultrasound just to make sure the baby wasn't breech, which (s)he is not. The head is down and the little sucker at that time was wrapped up and around the top of my belly. Unusual positioning she said, but I can often feel it back out, the right way for delivery, so I'm not worried.

I also had to do a non-stress test, which means that they put a fetal and maternal heart rate monitior on you and the display prints out on a piece of paper. That was kinda cool because I could tell when I tapped where the baby's feet are the heart rate would raise and then it would soothe down when I rubbed in that same area.

Everything looks good. I keep saying the baby feels like it is coming early, but she didn't give me any indication of this. So I will keep you posted!

20 Week UltrasoundDate: 01/28/2006

Well, yesterday we went to the Dr's office for the big ultrasound and saw about a 1/2 hour of baby. It truly was amazing. We saw feet, hands, face, profile, the heart, all the organs, it was awesome! The coolest part was that we were able to tell what most of the stuff was.

Here's the stats so far: Baby weighs almost a pound, about 13.5 oz. Due date based on size and measurements is June 14th, but she said since it is so close to the original, they won't officially change it. So keep hoping Grama D!

We did get a glance at the area which you would be able to tell the gender from, but she knew we didn't want to know so really went quick there. Especially since I was naming off all the things that we were looking at. I think she knew I knew what I was doing.

Poor Daddy, who I think really would like to know, had 3 chances for her to tell him if it was a boy or girl (when I went to the bathroom) respected our decision not to find out.

He was a little disappointed because he wasn't sure what he was looking for. So she said if it's a boy you will see a turtle, if it's a girl a hamburger. He didn't know what to look for at first when she did the quick veiw. So she went back and did an indepth veiw, and Peanut was being modest--blocked anything he/she had with the umbilical cord!It was absolutely hilarious! We were the last appointment of the day and were in there about an hour and some change. Connie was wonderful.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, I know they can be a little hard to tell what they are.

20 Week Dr Appointment

: 01/25/2006
Just had the 20 week Dr appointment. Everything is looking good. My BP is great, I am gaining as she wants me to (1 lb/wk), baby's heartbeat is strong (145-150 BPM). Everything is going smoothly.When she was looking for the heartbeat, she started on the right and moved her way over to the left, which is where Peanut hides out. All the movement, kicking and heaviness is always on the left. Every once in awhile it is on the right, but 9 of 10 times, the left. Also, I did feel one morning movement on both sides at once, guess Peanut was stretching!Funny story, ironically enough, she asked me if I had felt any movement, which of course I have. Peanut is not still anytime that I am. Mover and a shaker in there. But I told her most of the movement has been the fluttering type, with a few pokes. While she was taking the heartbeat, which took about 30 sec to a minute, Peanut actually kicked the Doppler. Guess it was invading personal space!Brian and I have scheduled the big ultrasound for this Friday, so on the 27th we will see it all. I am really excited about that. We could find out the sex then if we wanted to, but we are going to wait till the birth. I will update with pictures then!

1st Dr. Appt

Well, today was our first dr's appointment, we met with Dr. Johangten (pronounced Johansen) and she did all the regular checks, weight, blood pressure, and then the ultrasound. She did this to confirm the due date of June 17th. The baby measured at 4.7 mm, which is just right for the due date.

The ultrasound was truly a humbling experience. To see this little life moving around like crazy, when I can't feel him/her myself. Both Brian and I got kinda teary-eyed. WOW! There really is a baby in there! She called the baby "Peanut" and it is kinda sticking.

We got three ultrasound pictures and it is so amazing, at 12 weeks you can already see so much, feet, hands, head, it's all there, and moving around.

I am uploading the ultrasound pic so that those who are far away and weren't here for Thanksgiving that we didn't get to brag to can see it. I hope that this site allows us to share this amazing experience with you even though miles separate us.

Love,

Mommy Christi