Dear Munchkin,
You've given us quite a scare.
I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow. At my regular doctor's appointment today, my OB first said that I really had gained more than she'd like (nearly 8 lbs in 5 weeks) and suggested that I cut milk and fruit except strawberries and blueberries and the occasional 1/2 banana, and change up my exercise routine. Then she measured fundal height and said I'm measuring small - only 31 weeks. So she sent me down the hall for an ultrasound, which showed 3 things: You are breech (instead of having your head down, you are sitting with your tuchus down and your feet and head up). You are indeed small - only 4 lbs., rather than 5.5 lbs which is the norm for 34 weeks. And you don't have enough amniotic fluid around you.
Since my fluid is low, they can't do an inversion to flip you around. So unless you flip on your own, I will have to have a scheduled C-section at 39 weeks. I had my first NST (non-stress test) and my doctor said your heartbeat looked great. But I'm on modified bed rest, which means no exercise, and I need to lie down on my left side for 30 min twice a day, and I must make sure I feel you move at least every few hours. My doctor referred me to an MFM (a maternal-fetal medicine doctor, someone who specializes in high-risk pregnancies). I will see the MFM and my regular doctor every week going forward.
So, baby girl, I'm scared. I'm hoping and praying that you will be just fine. I love you, and your Daddy loves you, and your grandparents love you, and we are all praying as hard as we can. Please be happy and healthy and safe, little one.
love,
Mommy
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
80%
Dear Munchkin,
You will learn, very early on, that your Mommy really likes math. Today I am 32 weeks along, which means I am 80% of the way to "full-term" which is 40 weeks. Although really, anytime after 38 weeks is considered full-term, I think.
We are busy making our house more beautiful - we've done lovely landscaping in the front and are currently working on the backyard. It probably won't get finished before you're born, but it'll be finished afterward, and that will be OK. We ordered a grill, because if we're going to spend more time in our soon-to-be-beautiful backyard, it makes sense to have a grill.
And we ordered a glider, which your Nana is giving us as a gift. I imagine that you will spend many quality hours in that glider - sometimes with me, sometimes with your Daddy, and perhaps even with your Nana and your Grammy and your Papa D. You are becoming more real to me every day, little girl. Last night, we took a breastfeeding class, and now I know a little bit more about what I'll need to do, and where to go for help if I need it. And I can almost imagine holding you in my arms, settled into the glider, as you nurse and we bond in a way unique to mothers and babies.
There is a lot of terrible stuff happening in the world right now, Munchkin. And I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with pain at the thought of so much violence and hatred and anger, and the danger posed to my family and friends and complete strangers in Israel. And then I feel you kick, and I remember that I must believe that the future is bright, not bleak. And I can only hope and pray desperately that the future you will inherit will be filled with light, laughter, and peace.
Munchkin, you and your Daddy are the two best things that have ever happened to me. Daddy and I are already amazed by how much we love you. And that love grows and grows every day!
love,
Mommy
You will learn, very early on, that your Mommy really likes math. Today I am 32 weeks along, which means I am 80% of the way to "full-term" which is 40 weeks. Although really, anytime after 38 weeks is considered full-term, I think.
We are busy making our house more beautiful - we've done lovely landscaping in the front and are currently working on the backyard. It probably won't get finished before you're born, but it'll be finished afterward, and that will be OK. We ordered a grill, because if we're going to spend more time in our soon-to-be-beautiful backyard, it makes sense to have a grill.
And we ordered a glider, which your Nana is giving us as a gift. I imagine that you will spend many quality hours in that glider - sometimes with me, sometimes with your Daddy, and perhaps even with your Nana and your Grammy and your Papa D. You are becoming more real to me every day, little girl. Last night, we took a breastfeeding class, and now I know a little bit more about what I'll need to do, and where to go for help if I need it. And I can almost imagine holding you in my arms, settled into the glider, as you nurse and we bond in a way unique to mothers and babies.
There is a lot of terrible stuff happening in the world right now, Munchkin. And I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with pain at the thought of so much violence and hatred and anger, and the danger posed to my family and friends and complete strangers in Israel. And then I feel you kick, and I remember that I must believe that the future is bright, not bleak. And I can only hope and pray desperately that the future you will inherit will be filled with light, laughter, and peace.
Munchkin, you and your Daddy are the two best things that have ever happened to me. Daddy and I are already amazed by how much we love you. And that love grows and grows every day!
love,
Mommy
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Three quarters
Dear Munchkin,
I am 30w3d now, which means we're only 9 and a half weeks from your expected due date! That amazes me - more than 3/4 of the way there already. Yesterday marked 7 months. I love feeling you move more and more. Tomorrow, Daddy and I are going to learn how to take care of you once you're on the outside, and we'll also take a maternity tour at the hospital. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and got to hear your beautiful heartbeat once again. You are measuring right on track, little one. In another month, Daddy will come with me to my next doctor's appointment and we'll get to see you again - my first ultrasound in a few months. We've missed seeing you and we're so excited to see how much you've grown!
A couple of days ago, I interviewed the first of three doctors for you. I liked her very much. I'm looking forward to meeting the other two as well. Whichever doctor we choose will definitely help us take excellent care of you.
I've been having some stomach upset the last few weeks, and I started to wonder if it's related to dairy. I'm going to stay away from dairy for a few days and then "shock" my system with a glass of milk and see what happens. If it does seem like milk is the problem, I will start taking Lactaid pills - I don't want to give up milk because I know how good it is for both you and me! Hopefully you won't have any problems with milk, and hopefully I won't either after you're born. We'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.
We have several things for you already - more than I expected to have at this point! Daddy's friend J gave us a stroller, my friend S gave us a crib and mattress and bedding, and my friend R gave us a bunch of diapers that her baby has already outgrown. And I've put most of our children's books on the bookshelf in your room. Some of them you won't be interested in reading for several years, but you'll grow into them.
Daddy and I love you so much, Munchkin. We're so very much looking forward to meeting you in just a couple more months!
love,
Mommy
I am 30w3d now, which means we're only 9 and a half weeks from your expected due date! That amazes me - more than 3/4 of the way there already. Yesterday marked 7 months. I love feeling you move more and more. Tomorrow, Daddy and I are going to learn how to take care of you once you're on the outside, and we'll also take a maternity tour at the hospital. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and got to hear your beautiful heartbeat once again. You are measuring right on track, little one. In another month, Daddy will come with me to my next doctor's appointment and we'll get to see you again - my first ultrasound in a few months. We've missed seeing you and we're so excited to see how much you've grown!
A couple of days ago, I interviewed the first of three doctors for you. I liked her very much. I'm looking forward to meeting the other two as well. Whichever doctor we choose will definitely help us take excellent care of you.
I've been having some stomach upset the last few weeks, and I started to wonder if it's related to dairy. I'm going to stay away from dairy for a few days and then "shock" my system with a glass of milk and see what happens. If it does seem like milk is the problem, I will start taking Lactaid pills - I don't want to give up milk because I know how good it is for both you and me! Hopefully you won't have any problems with milk, and hopefully I won't either after you're born. We'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.
We have several things for you already - more than I expected to have at this point! Daddy's friend J gave us a stroller, my friend S gave us a crib and mattress and bedding, and my friend R gave us a bunch of diapers that her baby has already outgrown. And I've put most of our children's books on the bookshelf in your room. Some of them you won't be interested in reading for several years, but you'll grow into them.
Daddy and I love you so much, Munchkin. We're so very much looking forward to meeting you in just a couple more months!
love,
Mommy
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Butternut
Dear Muncchkin,
Yesterday marked 29 weeks! You are now the size of a butternut squash. But probably much cuter. :)
Last night we listened to my favorite Beethoven CD - piano sonatas. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Not much new to report, little one. Daddy and I love you so much already. We are so looking forward to meeting you (though hopefully not for another couple of months at least)!
love,
Mommy
Yesterday marked 29 weeks! You are now the size of a butternut squash. But probably much cuter. :)
Last night we listened to my favorite Beethoven CD - piano sonatas. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Not much new to report, little one. Daddy and I love you so much already. We are so looking forward to meeting you (though hopefully not for another couple of months at least)!
love,
Mommy
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
6 months down!
Dear Munchkin,
Yesterday I was officially 6 months pregnant! And today is 26 weeks. Just a couple more weeks left in my (your) second trimester. I feel you move more and more, and Daddy and I are just enthralled watching the movements we can actually see in my tummy. And every day, we love you more and more. Your Daddy covers my belly with kisses nearly every day, and now he's trying to teach you to count. He's really hoping you take after me when it comes to math ability.
Keep growing and cooking, baby girl! This week, depending on which website I read, you're the size of a head of lettuce, or a scallion, or a hothouse cucumber. Which is to say, approximately 14 inches, and about 1 lb, 10-12 oz.
Our babymoon last weekend was wonderfully relaxing, and of course it got us thinking about what our next trip will look like - with a suitcase full of diapers and wipes and baby clothes and all the accoutrements we'll need. You'll be a lot of work, Munchkin, but it's work we are SO excited to do. We are so looking forward to meeting you on the outside!
love,
Mommy
Yesterday I was officially 6 months pregnant! And today is 26 weeks. Just a couple more weeks left in my (your) second trimester. I feel you move more and more, and Daddy and I are just enthralled watching the movements we can actually see in my tummy. And every day, we love you more and more. Your Daddy covers my belly with kisses nearly every day, and now he's trying to teach you to count. He's really hoping you take after me when it comes to math ability.
Keep growing and cooking, baby girl! This week, depending on which website I read, you're the size of a head of lettuce, or a scallion, or a hothouse cucumber. Which is to say, approximately 14 inches, and about 1 lb, 10-12 oz.
Our babymoon last weekend was wonderfully relaxing, and of course it got us thinking about what our next trip will look like - with a suitcase full of diapers and wipes and baby clothes and all the accoutrements we'll need. You'll be a lot of work, Munchkin, but it's work we are SO excited to do. We are so looking forward to meeting you on the outside!
love,
Mommy
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
V-Day and then some
Dear Munchkin,
As of today, I am 25 weeks. Last week, 24 weeks, was an important milestone: Viability Day. Babies born at 24 weeks have a 50/50 shot at surviving. On my forum, it's called V-Day and we all celebrate it. Of course, we want you to keep cooking for a lot longer, but it's still comforting to know we've made it this far.
I still feel you moving around, and it's still exciting every time - not much in the way of deliberate kicks, but apparently yesterday you kicked or punched the transducer my doctor uses to hear your heartbeat hard enough to move it! I love that you're already feisty. The appointment went well - you're measuring right on track, and my doctor is pleased.
This weekend, Daddy and I are going on our babymoon - our last weekend trip as a family of two instead of three. We are just planning to relax a lot.
I love you so much, baby girl. Beyond words.
Love,
Mommy
As of today, I am 25 weeks. Last week, 24 weeks, was an important milestone: Viability Day. Babies born at 24 weeks have a 50/50 shot at surviving. On my forum, it's called V-Day and we all celebrate it. Of course, we want you to keep cooking for a lot longer, but it's still comforting to know we've made it this far.
I still feel you moving around, and it's still exciting every time - not much in the way of deliberate kicks, but apparently yesterday you kicked or punched the transducer my doctor uses to hear your heartbeat hard enough to move it! I love that you're already feisty. The appointment went well - you're measuring right on track, and my doctor is pleased.
This weekend, Daddy and I are going on our babymoon - our last weekend trip as a family of two instead of three. We are just planning to relax a lot.
I love you so much, baby girl. Beyond words.
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
I feel you
Dear Munchkin,
As of today, I am 20 weeks - which means you're officially half-baked. And two days ago, you made your presence known in an entirely new way...
Monday morning, 19w5d, 5.30 am. I'd been awake since 4-ish. Your Daddy and I were staying at Aunt B. and Uncle M.'s house for Passover. I was lying awake reading a Boston Globe in-depth story about the family of Martin Richards, the 8-year-old killed in the Boston Marathon bombings last year. And all of a sudden, I felt these unmistakable twinges. I waited until it had happened a few times (all in exactly the same place) then whispered to Daddy, "I think I just felt Munchkin kick." He woke right up and I put his hand over my abdomen and sure enough, within about 45 seconds it happened again and he could feel it. We looked at each other in shock and amazement, he kissed me...and then went back to sleep. That's your Daddy...! I just sat there in bed, beyond overwhelmed, teary-eyed.
Since then I've felt a few more twinges. It's hard to tell if you're actually kicking or just stretching. Whatever you're doing in there, I hope you are having fun. I hope you feel loved. I hope you are happy and healthy and safe.
Love,
Mommy
As of today, I am 20 weeks - which means you're officially half-baked. And two days ago, you made your presence known in an entirely new way...
Monday morning, 19w5d, 5.30 am. I'd been awake since 4-ish. Your Daddy and I were staying at Aunt B. and Uncle M.'s house for Passover. I was lying awake reading a Boston Globe in-depth story about the family of Martin Richards, the 8-year-old killed in the Boston Marathon bombings last year. And all of a sudden, I felt these unmistakable twinges. I waited until it had happened a few times (all in exactly the same place) then whispered to Daddy, "I think I just felt Munchkin kick." He woke right up and I put his hand over my abdomen and sure enough, within about 45 seconds it happened again and he could feel it. We looked at each other in shock and amazement, he kissed me...and then went back to sleep. That's your Daddy...! I just sat there in bed, beyond overwhelmed, teary-eyed.
Since then I've felt a few more twinges. It's hard to tell if you're actually kicking or just stretching. Whatever you're doing in there, I hope you are having fun. I hope you feel loved. I hope you are happy and healthy and safe.
Love,
Mommy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)