27 weeks, and a sonogram

We were so happy to be able to see our not-so-little pumpkin today, via the wonder of technology and sonogram. Here's a profile view of him, when his hands actually were not covering his face. He's about to move them right in front again though. :-)

After last week's appointment, Dr. McK wanted to get an updated view of the placenta and our baby boy this week. We happily complied, since we're eager to see him again, and also wanting to have recent info to take with us on our trip next week to Disney World, just in case anything crazy happened.

Libby, the wonderful tech who also did the big ultrasound in August, was there again, and took her time doing more measuring and detailed viewing. She noticed hair on his head, and loved how active he was, saying, "He hasn't stopped moving the whole time!" I laughed, and said, "No kidding!" He is a busy boy, and kept putting his hands near his mouth, and almost had a toe in there at one point. He looks so sweet and cozy. Isaac and Abigail both just loved seeing him again.

The update on the placenta previa is that it really hasn't changed. She said the placenta is still sitting on my cervix, but it's not inhibiting Elijah's growth any. I commented on how much chubbier his cheeks looked this time, and she replied, "Uh, yeah." I glanced at her, and she smiled and said, "Yes, he's growing just fine...he weighs about 3 pounds, 8 ounces." I said, "The email updates I get said he should be just over 2 pounds!" She said, "Right. He's measuring several weeks ahead." All along we've been told he was, but didn't have any measurements or details. I'm 27 weeks, 2 days, and Elijah is measuring between 29-31 weeks in different areas. His abdominal circumference placed him in the "greater than 98 percentile" and his head was 88% and femurs measured 98%. I asked her how accurate those measurements can be, and she said they are pretty reliable, since she took them multiple times each, from different angles, and the program generates the average.

So, based on today's information, the adjusted due date based on his physical development alone is more like December 21, instead of my actual due date of January 8. We know all this is just interesting at this point, and just encourages us that he's healthy and thriving, but may help us know later on what needs to happen about delivery if the placenta stays where it is. It's still too early to know what is best regarding a c-section or not, and there is time for the placenta to move, since there are cases that it does finally resolve by the 34 week check-up. So, we're just content knowing that things are fine for now, and will wait and see.

My biggest hope is that however he's delivered, if it is safe for him, and he's developed enough, that God would allow Elijah to be born in time for our precious friends Scott, Robin, and their family to meet him while they are here from Richmond. They are coming in on the 19th of December, and leaving the 24th, so I'm just praying God knows our hearts and deep desire to visit with ALL of our kids during the holidays and that He can work it out if He sees fit! I know He cares about our little desires and this is a pretty big one, so I'm praying specifically, and trusting that He'll do what's best. Either way, we are getting very excited about seeing far-away friends, and welcoming our sweet son before too much longer!

Check out his cute self here:
Lean your head to the right, and you're seeing him at the correct angle. He's curled up, with his hands up by his face. Sweet, sweet! This is the chubby cheek picture. :-) Next are the Tubbs' toes. Look at that big toe sticking out!

3 months from today...

is Elijah's due date! Wow!

Nice to meet you, too!

Here's the transcript of a nice conversation from last night. (Name changed to protect the innocent.)

P - "Hi, I don't think we've met....I'm Penelope."
Me - "Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Jennifer."
P - "So, when is your baby due?"
Me - "January 8."
P, looking absolutely astonished - "Wow! Are you sure it's not TWINS?!"
Me, glancing at my belly - "Ummm... yes..."

No, my feelings weren't hurt, but my sweet friend Jamie tried to take up for me, since I was too shocked to say much in response. She said something about my carrying so much of the weight right in my belly, and the lady just kinda drifted away. I enjoyed sharing the story all night, because it amazed me how bold this complete stranger was. Aren't people funny? Jamie said if the lady hadn't been wearing an Auburn shirt, she would've decked her for me. :-)

2/3 of the way there!

This morning I had another great doctor appointment. I did the fun glucose test also, and the results of it were great, so I'm so happy to have that behind me. That stuff tastes awful. Dr. McK gave me an overall good report, saying my weight gain was fine and he was pleased with how I seemed to be doing. We asked if he had any concerns about our Disney trip coming up in a week and a half and he said he felt that I was doing fine, so had no qualms about our flying or the busyness of the week. He suggested that I go get a follow-up ultrasound next week to check the placenta previa since it would be good to know what we're dealing with before traveling. He doesn't expect any problems though, even if it hasn't resolved itself. If it hasn't resolved by then, we'll check it again closer to the due date, and see what we're dealing with. It was nice to be reassured, and we're really looking forward to the trip with my family.

26 weeks

It's just a baby boom in our family! My cousin Tara had her little girl, Cate, last Tuesday, and she joins Emerson and Casey who were born in August and September to my cousins Todd and Tucker and their wives. We're so excited to have all these little ones in the Tubbs/Veazey families. They are beautiful and healthy, so we are so grateful. We can hardly wait for Elijah to meet his cousins! We're under 100 days till our due date! In order above they are: Emerson, then Cate, then Casey.

Our little pumpkin is growing, and this week, the email update I get said that his eyes are really starting to open. I guess he is bored with the mostly dark environment he's in, but it's neat to think of another awesome development happening. Here's the info:

Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months (so that the retina, the part of the eye that allows images to come into focus, could develop) — are now beginning to open. What this means is that your baby is able to see what's going on now (unfortunately the view in your uterus isn't all that exciting). The iris, the colored part of the eye, still doesn't have much pigmentation (that'll fill in over the next month or two), so it's too early to start guessing your baby's eye color. Even the color your baby will be born with might not be the permanent shade; so you may be kept guessing until your baby is close to six months old.

Look what else is going on this week: Your baby's brain-wave activity is kicking in, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them. Not in so many words, of course, but with an increase in pulse rate or activity.

And talking about activity, at your baby's current height and weight (about nine inches tall and two pounds), and at the rate he or she is growing, your baby will soon be feeling a little cramped in your uterus. Not to worry, there's still plenty of room for your baby to grow. It just means your gymnast will have less room for those somersaults, cartwheels, and other Olympic feats.

25 weeks

Well, I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. The email update I received today reminded me I hadn't, when I read that my uterus is about the size of a soccer ball. That is no shock to anyone I've seen recently, since it looks like I have swallowed one, and since Elijah seems to think he's in a match with David Beckham or something, with all this kicking. :-) I sure am happy to feel it though, especially in light of other families who have never experienced the blessing of a pregnancy. I was reminded again today of the struggle many face in trying to have a baby, and thanked God again for our busy little boy.

My update also said that E's "skin is turning pinker. No, not because he's getting overheated (in fact, the amniotic fluid is perfectly climate controlled, keeping him at an always comfortable temperature), but because small blood vessels, called capillaries, are forming under the skin and filling with blood. Later this week, blood vessels will also develop in your baby's lungs, bringing them one step closer to full maturity — and one step closer to taking that first breath of fresh air. But those lungs are still very much works in progress. Though they are already beginning to develop surfactant, a substance that will help the lungs expand after the baby is born, the lungs are still too undeveloped to sufficiently send oxygen to the bloodstream and release carbon dioxide when he or she exhales. In his gums, buds for permanent teeth line up behind baby teeth. He's practicing using his arms and legs (I would certainly agree!), but his skin is still loose and wrinkly, and hangs like a too-big pair of pants."

I had a weird episode today that was almost scary, until I told James and we both realized what probably had happened. I went out early this morning to water the recently planted mums and pansies, and also kept leaning over to pull up weeds. After about a half hour of this, I got very light-headed and my heart was hurting so bad, I felt like I was going to pass out. I sat down, in the yard, trying to process what was happening, and caught my breath a little. I could hear my pulse so loudly in my head it was wild! I then walked slowly on in the house, but by the time I got in there, was so faint, and hurting so bad, I jokingly (kinda) told James I thought I was about to die of a heart attack. Once I sat for just a minute, I was fine, just tired-feeling. Describing it to him and thinking about what triggered it, we both assume this is one of those vena cava issues I've heard of later in the pregnancy. With the pressure of the enlarging uterus on my organs , and my repeated bending over, I guess I was cutting off my own blood circulation, and my heart was letting me know it!

Since James had just gotten home from working all night and was going to sleep, I was so thankful I recovered quickly, and didn't pass out in the yard! :-) I told him, as I leaned over to turn off the water faucet, I just knew I was going to keel over, and a few hours later when the kids got hungry enough, they'd have found me face-first in the flowerbed. So, no more bending and weeding, from now on. I'll have to just plop down and work, I reckon...

It's been a nesting kind of week, as James and I have been working on projects around the house to ready it for putting on the market. We are just about ready, and it's crazy, but exciting too. We have no idea that it will sell in this current market, but feel that God has told us to at least try. We're assuming if it doesn't sell we'll just figure out a way to squeeze in one more little person and a whole lot of baby stuff, and if it does sell, that God is truly providing us the opportunity to move. I've even been washing up baby clothes that are hand-me-downs, or were Isaac's and had been in the attic. It's nice to just have something to handle and do, relating to Elijah, in this last few months while we are just waiting on him to arrive. Isaac and Abigail love ooh-ing and aah-ing over the sweet, tiny clothes. It's very fun to share these times of anticipation with them, and see their excitement. We can't wait to meet you, little brother!!

What was that?!

Wow. At 1:30 this morning, the yardwork and busyness of the day caught up with me, as I was awakened with some serious contractions. Being so out of it with sinus medication, I initially wanted to panic, until I realized the regular, consistent contractions weren't getting worse, but did last for over 4 hours. It was a long night/morning, since I couldn't sleep from the discomfort of them, until I finally became conscious enough to remember to drink something. After a glass of OJ and some banana bread, they stopped fairly quickly. I've had some more this evening, so am drinking often to keep really well hydrated since I know that can affect things. I'm trying to be positive and remember this is just good practice for my uterus. It just doesn't feel too great. Off to bed, to try to sleep while I can!