34 weeks 3 days!

I made my weekly trip to the ultrasound tech on Wednesday. The news was excellent!

The baby is still in the "head down" position - expected to stay there until delivery. However, little one did flip sides so that he / she is kicking and punching my left side now, rump just under my ribs. Sugs is stretched from one end to the other of my abdomen and curled around into the classic fetal position. Again, no peeks at the face, but we did see a nice gorgeous halo of fuzzies around the back of the head. Oh that's right: baby LeBlanc #4 has hair!! I have no idea what color it is of course, but it's certainly there on ultrasound. It took Mary Louise and David a full 2 years before we even thought about breaking out a comb or brush for their tiny bits of peach fuzz!

Measurements: right on target at an estimated 5 pounds 11 ounces. This week, the baby was measured (femur length, head circumference, abdominal girth) so the weight is more accurate (than last week's). Heart rate was 134 or 135 - within normal range. On the fetal growth charts, our little one isn't so little - still measuring between the 53rd and 57th percentile!

I met with my regular OB as well and will do so every week from now until delivery. He was extremely pleased with my health status as well as the ultrasound measurements and outcomes. My blood pressure is still very steady and my UA continues to be "normal" (I do one every time I go in for a MD visit).

I will finish my Asprin therapy this Sunday!! No more baby Asprin after 35 weeks. This allows my platelets to return to a normal range prior to the delivery. It typically takes about 3 weeks for platelets to recover.

I actually had the triplet section while taking Asprin. It was full on awful...the bruising...I should have taken pictures. The nurses kept offering to "scrub the Betadine" off of my incision area. I kept telling them I was perfectly capable of performing my own personal hygiene and that these particular shades of yellow, and purple wouldn't come off with any type of Hibiclens scrub anyhow. After 3 days of watching the bruises spread, I remember asking Brent to mark them to ensure the bleeding would stop. It did - but man, the rainbow of colors - impressive.

Anyhow, stopping Asprin on Sunday. Oh. my. gosh.

And...my last progesterone shot with be Monday!!!! (and the angels sing here. or happy dancing can commence. whatever you prefer)

Now, stopping the progesterone is not without SOME worry. Trends show an increased risk of labor after stopping progesterone. Of course, one must keep in mind that the women taking the stuff are, to begin with, believed to be predisposed to preterm labor. It's another small area of debate with me as to whether or not I am, in fact, predisposed to such. So, I'll be covered until 36 weeks with progesterone doses (a dose lasts anywhere from 7 to 9 days. I will do my last dose at 35 weeks 1 day).

The doctor mentioned delivery at 38.5 weeks (which, if you're doing the math, would put it about May 2nd) as long as both the baby and I remained stable. I didn't argue...yet. But, it will need to be discussed a little further should I find us in the happy position of being totally stable, no signs of labor, and 38.5 weeks along. Some conversations are best had when necessary right? Again, I just want to make the most informed decisions possible and explore all possible options to ensure the best (safest) route for our sweet little one.

(ha - after badgering the mega leftist ICAN group and hearing, "well, you COULD push for a vaginal delivery, but your risk would be considered significant" I tearfully said fair- the- well to a totally natural birth. I mean really, if the mega hippies and extremists would think twice about it, maybe I am unfortunately in the type of situation for which a section is actually warranted? It HAS to be better than last time right?)

At any rate, my doctor is well aware of my wants, needs and ideals and has been very understanding and more than attentive with me throughout. In short, he knows no moves are made without a very thorough discussion and without my total and ridiculously type A understanding - ha.

Also, if you're counting, we could be meeting our baby in as little as 3 weeks. gah!!!!! lee!!!!! I'm so nervous, and excited, and nervous, and happy, and nervous, and...well, a little nervous...
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Mary Louise and David and I made it to our very first La Leche League meeting today! It was packed - much busier than I thought it would be...I should have considered that the kiddos were hangin' round the house for Easter break...

Mary Louise and David had SUCH a good time! Mary Louise, upon arriving and scoping out the kids, the toys, the chaos, looked up at me and said, "my go play now Mommy?"

She joined right in - finding a toy phone and preceded to make a few "business" calls while mingling with new friend possibilities.

David stayed by my side for about 5 minutes longer before he spotted an empty box. He went for it - quickly turning said box into a car "driving" it through kids and saying, "hi" to all in his path.

They ate. Lots. David ate 2 pieces of the banana bread I'd brought while Mary Louise ate about half a piece and some fruit. They also ate full lunches once home.

It was a great meeting - a nutritionist was the speaker today. In case you're wondering about the goings on at these secret society meetings...it's a bunch of granolas with boobies out singing camp fire songs while holding hands and feeding babies...

ha - no...

It's a great mix of mothers - all kinds - new, experienced, pregnant, and "done with all that" - just supporting one another and sharing experiences. It's actually really nice and comforting. The meetings here are once per month. All kids are welcome to tag along (very nice for me!). They have some sort of guest speaker to discuss a topic (today: nutrition), then there is time to socialize a bit and lactation consultants as well as LLL leaders are there to answer any specific questions breastfeeding mothers might have. Simple, relatively informal, VERY flexible. My kind of group.

We stayed for just over an hour prior to heading out to "yook at da fountains!". The exterior of the hospital (the meeting was in the education room at a local women's hospital) is lined with really beautiful fountains. David and Mary Louise threw pennies in while making "bufday wishes" and were just fascinated by the flowing water.

David also had speech this afternoon at the private care facility (super busy day). He did really well and had a HUGE grin on his face as he showed me his 3 tiny Easter eggs he'd "found"  and the cookies he decorated with his speech therapist.

The kids then went to a neighbor's house for a couple of hours to play while Brent helped me do a bit of house work.

We've all had a long - but happy happy and productive day. I must acknowledge that since David's week-o-fits, he's been increasingly happier by the day. I love these moments. My sweet boy. I missed him.

xo,
Heather