There's Another GIRL on the Way! On or about August 5, 2009, we will be parents again and Amanda will be a Big Sister! Of course, if Amanda's birth was any indication, this baby could come as early as July 15, so it's anyone's guess. Amanda won the pool by guessing that there was a girl in there. She got to come to the final ultrasound and see the baby through the "special camera" that we had been talking about. However, Bam had her hands and feet covering her face for most of the time and Amanda couldn't get a clear view of anything. We only got one picture from this ultrasound. We did see Bam's tush, though, and Amanda definitely thought that was a highlight. 30 Week Ultrasound
Picture
20 Week Ultrasound
Pictures On the left: The baby's
profile. What looks like a bubble in front of her face is actually one of
her hands.
11 Week Ultrasound
Pictures In the picture on the left,
you can see the baby's profile. That's a hand up by its head.
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6 Week Ultrasound Picture |
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At 15 Weeks (mid February 2009): Stacey is starting to show, and has reluctantly begun wearing maternity clothes. She is very upset by how much more comfortable they are than just wearing regular clothes in a larger size. She suffered morning sickness (though in the evening) for the first 3 months, along with an aversion to meat. Thankfully, both of those distractions have passed and now she's able to focus on more important things, like how to throw a 3 year old's birthday party when you're 34 weeks pregnant (yes, she's a planner. Is anyone surprised?). At 18 Weeks (early March 2009): Stacey has decided that she is actually feeling movement from inside (and not just gas bubbles). Sleeping is getting more difficult... for Aleck. Stacey has surrounded herself with pillows large and small to get positioned in just the right way. She also thinks that the size of her belly is about 20% baby and 80% ice cream. The baby now also has an official in-utero nickname (given by her big sister): Bam. At 20 weeks (mid March 2009): The ultrasound shows that it's a girl! And Stacey feels the first strong, solid kicks. Later in the week, Aleck can feel her, too. Amanda has started to "save" things for the baby, like her old, worn out socks that are too small. At 23 weeks (early April 2009): We are past the "pregnant or just fat?" stage! Stacey's belly has definitely popped, and there is now no mistaking that she's pregnant. Strangers have commented on her pregnancy for the first time this week. At 24 weeks (mid April 2009): Bam kicked hard enough for Stacey to see her belly move from the outside. Despite having been through this before, Stacey was still pretty grossed out by it. At 25 weeks (late April 2009): The midwife confirms Stacey's suspicions that Bam is lying VERY low, which explains why no one but Aleck has been able to feel her move, as Stacey is not a fan of letting other people stick their hands down her pants. At 27 weeks (early May 2009): The family takes a road trip to Ohio. 10 hours in the car each way (stopping every hour for Stacey to pee). Stacey declares that there will be no more road trips for the rest of the pregnancy. (Although, she greatly appreciates the prenatal massage that she received for Mother's Day.) At 28 weeks (mid May 2009): Stacey is starting to experience some of the less-glamorous aspects of pregnancy as she enters the 3rd trimester, such as heartburn and leg cramps, as well as a fair amount of ligament pain. She also has to pee often. Very often. Amanda continues to be excited about her baby sister and loves to point out all of the things that Bam will use, like the pacifiers and baby spoons. She is also set on buying baby food at the grocery store each time we go so that Bam will have something to eat. At 29 weeks (mid May 2009): A weekly volunteer at Stacey's office said to her, "I don't think I'll see you again before the baby comes. I won't be here next week." Next week?! Stacey finds this alternately hysterically funny and slightly offensive. Sure, she's getting bigger, but certainly not big enough to go into labor. At 30 weeks (late May 2009): Stacey goes in for another ultrasound to get a measurement of the spine that eluded the technician a few weeks ago. All looks good and Bam appears to be right on schedule. Amanda accompanied Stacey to the appointment in an attempt to have her see her baby sister. Unfortunately, Bam had her hands and feet covering her face the whole time, meaning that Amanda could not make out anything on the screen. She was more concerned with, "Why are you up on that table?" and "What's that thing on your belly?" At 30 weeks (late May 2009): Amanda meets her newborn neighbor, Sophie, and is thoroughly uninterested after 30 seconds of watching her sleep. The good news is that she was not at all upset to see Stacey holding the baby. At 31 weeks (early June 2009): During the hottest 2 weeks of the month, the air conditioning in Stacey's office is broken. Although there are 3 fans aimed at her desk, she considers calling OSHA to check the current regulations. At 32 weeks (early June 2009): Stacey completes the hunt for best bargains on diapers in bulk, and purchases mega-packs in 3 different sizes (from 3 different retailers). There's something to be said for having been through this before and knowing the brands that you like. Stacey decides that although every baby is different, she feels much more prepared this time around. Being the bargain shopper that she is, she continues to watch the sales to stock up on key items when the price is right. At 33 weeks (mid June 2009): The bin of newborn clothes migrates from the basement to the nursery. Also Amanda meets Hannah's baby brother Nathaniel and is nonplussed with the sleeping newborn. Stacey and Aleck are not sure if this is a good sign or not. At 34 weeks (late June 2009): Aleck is grossed out to see Stacey's belly shift and quiver from across the room. Oh yes, Bam is a mover and a shaker already. She also gets the hiccups frequently, as well as lots of hugs from her big sister. Amanda is also learning a lot about babies from various books and conversations with her parents. She (loudly) informed one of her teachers that "Bam will drink from Mommy's boobies" and was kind enough to point to Stacey's chest to illustrate her point. Also this week, Bam endears herself to her big sister with a very thoughtful birthday present. At 35 weeks (early July 2009): The air conditioning in Stacey's office still only works intermittently. She decides that they will probably fix it for good the day after she leaves. At 36 weeks (mid July 2009): The hospital bag is packed, the nursery is ready for an occupant, and Stacey is wrapping things up at work. Amanda is very excited and has decided that her baby sister, whose name she knows will begin with R, will be named Rooster. She asks almost daily if the baby is coming out today. At 37 weeks (mid July 2009): Stacey is VERY anxious to get this baby out. The air conditioning in her office is still out and although there are daily rumors that it is about to be replaced, no workman has been spotted on the premises. The doctor checks to see how dilated she is and informs her that she is "closed up tight." He also said that if she goes to 40 weeks, the baby could be 7 lbs. No one ever thought that Stacey would be eagerly awaiting the arrival of pain in the form of contractions. The highlight of the week: prenatal massage. Heaven. At 38 weeks (late July 2009): After 2 months, the air conditioning at work is finally fixed, which Stacey thought for sure would herald the start of labor, but no such luck. The doctor says they won't let her go past 41 weeks. At 39 weeks (late July 2009): Stacey is told by the midwife that she is 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced and that she should go into labor any day now. Of course, Bam has her own agenda. The doctor takes pity on Stacey and allows her to schedule an induction for the day after her due date. Stacey also finished working this week and is now frantically looking for things she can do from her perch on the couch. At 40 weeks (early August 2009): Stacey cannot believe that she is still pregnant, but looks forward to being induced on the 6th. As she waddles about the house trying to stay busy, Bam continues to exert her independence and strong-willed nature by choosing to not come any earlier than is absolutely necessary.
At 40 weeks and 1 day (August 6, 2009):
Robin (AKA Bam) is
born! Stacey was induced that morning. Here's a quick recap of things: |
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