Thumpity Thump Thump

Darling Baby Girl,

Tonight Mama wasn't feeling well again, so Dada and big brother Jackson went to the grocery store and Mama took a warm bubble bath.  I listened to some soothing music, sprinkled in some fine L'Occitane and Aveda products and slipped into the tub. My view of the winter sky was lavender and pink between the tulle curtains and the orchid blossoms.  I felt transported.  Then it happened:you thumped.  You've been kicking and fluttering for a few weeks, but your thump was big and hard enough that my tummy raised a half inch and the width of a quarter.  I soaked and watched for you.  It was magical.

About ten minutes later, your Dad and brother walked through the door.  Your sweet brother, who already loves you so much and tells everyone about 'baby guurl!!' and kisses my belly-- was delighted that Mama was taking a bath.  "Bubbles!!" he pointed and shouted.  Your Dad felt my tummy and you gave two little nudges.  Not quite the big bumps you had been giving, but enough for him to feel you.  Awesome.  He talked to you and was super excited to feel you for the first time.

Once they left and I stayed still, feeling you bump-thump around and revelling in the magic of it all.  Thanks for the thrill, little lady.  I am thrilled that from here on out I'll be able to feel you squiggling around in there.  At a mere 18 weeks along, we've got some time for you to grow, but I'm glad you'll be active and that from here on out, it's like we'll have a daily 'dance' with you kicking around and me smiling and delighting with each bump and nudge.

Love,
Mama

Lilies or Lizards?

Lilies!!!!! We learned today that you are a GIRL! It was quite a surprise--

The nurse started a sonogram and looked around-- and must have seen your umbilical cord because she said, "it's a little boy!" So we sat in the room and said "okay Jackson, you're getting a baby brother." But he kept shaking his head and saying/asking 'girl, girl...."

About 10 minutes later, Dr Seeker came in and soon after said to the nurse- "we might start going with the opposite of whichever you say, Mai, because this is a girl" he said it in such a calm sweet voice, we weren't sure if he was serious or not. But he turned back to the screen, froze the picture and outlined everything, convincing us that you were, in fact, a girl!! He got another 7 or 8 angles (you were SUPER wiggly) each time saying, "yep, thats a girl. Still a girl" and so on. We were super excited!!

You are also measuring a little ahead of schedule! So good growing, little lady. We can't wait to welcome you to the world. You're already a member of the family :)

I feel ya, baby!

Feeling you bump and swish around in my belly this week. It's pretty special. Xxoo

Sent from my iPhone

First Level 2 Sonogram Video - 11 wks and 4 days

It is SO awesome and generous that our doctor's office gives you a DVD of your sonogram to take along your merry way to watch again and share with others.  LOVE that.  The video for some reason is cut into 5 separate parts so when I upload or transfer it, the less than 6 minute video turns into 5 separate files.  Sorry it's all broken up but now you can pick your favorite part and easily re-watch. :)

A 'level 2' sonogram is simply a high-resolution sonogram that takes specific measurements and checks for several different developements and functions.  It is our doctor's policy/routine practice that moms get one at 12 and 24 weeks.  The best part- they have their own sonogram facility within the office, so it's just like another office visit - doesn't cost any extra, you immediately get to talk through your results and you get to be at the same ole familiar place.


Part 1:
http://youtu.be/AIhX_MF-i6o
Baby #2 @ 12 wk sonogram-pt 1
VTS_01_1.VOB
Nov 21, 2011
What you're seeing:

• Baby is fairly still and this is a body-profile view
• Crown-to-rump (aka height measurement = 5.57 cm.  92nd percentile)
• Nuchal Translucency or nuchal fold is measured several times; largest measurement is used.  This is the dark space between two white lines at the base of the neck and anything below 3cm is a very good indicator of health and lack of chromosomal defects
• The white flashing light in the chest is the heart beat.  You can also see the heartbeat/blood flowing in the umbilical cord, which is floating over the round belly. 

 

 

 

Part 2:
http://youtu.be/MWnYmfBx6T8
Baby #2 @12 wk sonogram-pt 2

Nov 21, 2011

VTS_01_2.VOB

 

What you're seeing:

• Nuchal Translucency is measured a couple more times
• Baby is still and the nurse tried to get a little movement so she pushes/juggles the sonogram wand into my belly.  When she does this, the picture gets wiggly and distorted.
• You can see the 'pointer' on the screen identify the baby's nose bone at around :45
• Another good view of the heartbeat/blood flow in both the heart and the umbilical cord at around :53
• Perspective switches to a view from the top of the baby's brain, well-developed and resembling a walnut or butterfly

Part 3
http://youtu.be/xzeYIvedP8g
Baby#2 @12 wk sonogram-pt 3

Nov 21, 2011

VTS_01_3.VOB

 

What you're seeing:

• Viewing fom the top-down, we start with a view of the brain and travel down the head and neck to shoulders before stopping at the heart. 
• Around :12 we switch to audio and hear the heartbeat.  This is an awesome moment.
• Fetal Heart rate is 154 beats per minute
• About :40, the picture freezes and the pointer goes to the entry point of the umbilical cord to the tummy.  The intestines have migrated into the stomach already. Good work, bebe.
• Around :50, freeze and pointer to a dark spot.  This the stomach which has fluid in it and indicates that the baby is already swallowing, putting that little esophagus to work.  Again, well done, bebe.
• ~ 1:02, picture freeze and the dark spot is the bladder...which she then marks with the word 'bladder :) and the dark circle again has fluid in it, indicating that the kidneys are developed and 'online' and functioning.  High five.
• You can see quite a bit of umbillical cord hanging out between the legs and stomach.  At 12 weeks gestation, the reproductive organs are the same structure.  It isn't until 16 weeks that the structure shifts into male or female parts.  With this in mind, we have another appointment scheduled for right before Christmas to learn baby's gender with Dr. Seeker

 

Part 4:
http://youtu.be/Gun7zGlNRYk
Baby #2 @12 wk sonogram-pt 4

Nov 21, 2011

VTS_01_4.VOB

 

What you're seeing:

• Starting out with a side view of the baby, she selects the area to view and switches to 4D, which renders a 3D type image and changes the color from B/W to sepia tones.
• Baby's hands are up over the face and eyes, pretty still
• Around :25 the image turns and you can see the pulsing of blood flow in the umbillical cord
• Then some measurements of the baby's house: the 'door' and walls.  At our last appointment, the placenta was attached high and to the back wall.  At this point, the placenta has grown quite large (a good thing) and appears to surround the baby.  You can see it 'open' at the top right corner of the screen as the picture scans from top to bottom.  If this doesn't make sense: Imagine a pancake lining the inside of a hollow softball; but the 'pancake' is the new little organ created specifically to deliver and remove everything the baby needs while that tiny body grows.  Yay for that.

Part 5:
http://youtu.be/CB9eq17TsXg
Baby #2 @12 wk sonogram-pt 5

Nov 21, 2011

VTS_01_5.VOB

 

What you're seeing:

• This section moves a lot so if you can visually figure out what you're seeing when you see a sonogram, it's kinda fun.   If sonograms visually confuse you, this might be a bit of a whirlwind.  She is actually looking at the placenta some more, but the baby is much more interesting, of course... and you can see top-to-bottom and side-to-side scans of the baby pretty quickly in these pictures.

 

  

Level 2 Sonogram Summary

-Heartrate of 154 bpm
-NT = 1.3mm (they want it to be under 3, you 'passed' with flying colors)
-Brain, heart, stomach, kidneys, intestines, feet... All in the right places and doing what they should be doing
-Due date projected as June 3rd- but per the sonogram nurse: "we never move it from the 'official due date' Dr. Seeker originally gives."  So unofficially, you're due 4 days earlier.
-We skipped rather quickly over your *ahem* 'gender indicator' but have an appointment on Dec 21st-- what a fun Christmas surprise!! -- to learn your gender.
-loved hearing your heartbeat, sweet baby.

Sent from my iPhone

Nanna learns you're on the way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF-SI7AROqI

Yaya learns you're on the way!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjurX3FoVhM