Week 38...

Feeling like I am at Week 38

Hello Hello!!! It has been a while since my last blog. I am now 38 weeks pregnant and getting very excited about delivery day. Kris and I had our doctor's appointment this past Thursday. Everything with me was checking out fine, but the baby's heartbeat was irregular. Kris and I picked up on this sound immediately and so did the doctor. After a while the heartbeat went back to sounding normal again. Just to be safe, the doctor sent me to get an ultrasound so they could take a look at the heart in more detail. My doctor reassured me this was a common condition found in babies before birth. However, Kris and I were a little worried.

We were able to get in for an unscheduled ultrasound and sure enough the baby was experiencing prenatal atrial contractions. His heart skips a beat every so often and will then go back into normal rhythm. The doctor confirmed our baby has a healthy heart and is not in any distress. He mentioned that this should be nothing we worry about and the baby will grow out of this condition soon after birth (if not before then). We were happy to receive this news and also get a peak at our baby again.

It had been 18 weeks since the last time we saw him on the big screen. The sonographer switched over to 4D and it was amazing. He still appears to be bashful because he was covering his face with his hand (see the picture to the top left of the screen). This is ok because we still have the element of surprise until he is born. The sonographer continued to mention that our boy (yes it was confirmed he is a boy) was a big healthy boy. At the beginning of the ultrasound she mentioned she would be able to tell us how much he weighed right now. She continued to say "he sure does have big hands" and "look at those full cheeks". She let us know the weight of our baby at the end of the ultrasound and I about fell off of the table. She told us that our baby is weighing in at 8 lb 13oz at week 38. Yes, you read correctly. Kris and I are going to have a big, healthy baby boy. Now I have heard this information can be off by a pound, but either way I am going to have a big baby. I now have to mentally prepare for birth and all prayers from others are greatly appreciated. I feel good that I have done my job of being a good home for our baby and still can not wait to meet him.

The thoughts that go through my head these days are:

• Who is he going to look like
• When am I going to go into labor
• Is my water going to break or will the contractions just begin on their own
• I hope I remember to call everyone before things get too hectic
• Remember to call the neighbors, so they can take care of Tanner (our dog)

I hope everyone is doing well and feels just as blessed and Kris and I do everyday. We have an exciting road ahead of us and this road could start ANY DAY!!!

Belly and Baby Love!!