So we trekked into Boston today for the start of our bi-weekly visits to the doctor. Ultrasound first and then a visit with the nurse practioner.
What we learned today: I'm carrying a mon-stah! The King Kong of monkey babies!
Baby Sammy, at best guesstimation, at just under 31 weeks, is approximately four and a half pounds! Of course, that's a guess and it could go 13oz in either direction, but holy crap, he's huge. He's measuring almost 2 weeks ahead, and I'm trying not to imagine what 13oz in the wrong direction would mean. Eeeek!
He's also now affectionately known as my little buckaroo, since they confirmed what I already knew - he's one hyper child. (My coworkers have commented on my rolling belly in meetings!) He's also decided, much to our happiness, that breech just wasn't for him, and has taken to hanging from my ribs like they're monkey bars. I had figured as much, though, since about two weeks ago I could have sworn someone shoved their hands in me and rotated all my insides at once, and I've been feeling swift kicks to my ribcage more often than not. Head down, just where it belongs. Good boy.
Heart looks the same - but we got more of a glance-over than the intensive study we'll get next week at the pediatric cardiologist. We're hoping to get a tour of the NICU, see where he'll have his surgery and hopefully meet some of the surgeons. We met today with a woman from Childrens' who was wonderful and really put me at ease about the possibility of breastfeeding. It gave me a little hope, at least, and I now know that they're very eager to feed little monkey all the milk his Mommy can make!
(Holy crap, I've got a big bebe in my belleh!)
As for mommy - I gained a much more appropriate 4 pounds this month - much better than previously, and now I can attribute a chunk of it to him. The doctor said the cramping I've been having is "good practice" and seemed happy about it. I held my ground the best I could and really pushed to go to my due date before they induced me (previous conversations had made mention of scheduling an induction a week before). I think I might just win that battle. Yay mommy!
So, we head into the holiday break with some good news. I'll drink a rum-free, low-fat eggnog to that!
I'm so glad that your website is back up! I've been checking it daily! I have twins, one with HLHS. He was 4.8lbs at birth and came home 10 days after his Norwood without any feeding issues. I nursed him and his twin. Colby is now 2 1/2 years old and has had five open heart surgeries. (He had two co-acrc repairs due to the small size of his aortic arch.) Anyway, he is doing perfectly great! PRAY for NO feeding issues. We did that from the beginning, and the Lord blessed us. We will be praying for you guys and following your journey.
Posted by: Sheila Elliott at December 24, 2005 09:43 PMLove,
The Elliott Family
Frisco, Tx