Happy 1/2 Birthday, Ginny!

Today, Ginny is 6 months old.

It is hard to believe that she is "that" old.  It seems like the time has flown despite the lack of sleep and all that comes with having a baby.  She is growing so fast and part of me wants her to stay little.  I know that is not possible though.

This morning we went to see Ginny's doctor so she could get her 6 month check-up and shots.  Soon after we got there, our nurse Taylor brought us back.  Taylor kept gushing on Ginny and even said she was the cutest baby ever. :)  Of course, this had Chris and I beaming from ear to ear.  We naturally feel that way (and feel as though no other baby could be as cute as our little girl), but love hearing it when others gush too.  It makes us feel as though we aren't just delusionally happy parents, but accurate in our assessments.

Ginny got measured.  She is a healthy 17 pounds 10 ounces and 26.25 inches long.  I looked it up online but this puts her in the 75th percentile (80th percentile for weight, 71st percentile for length).  The doctor came in to look at Ginny and go over developmental milestones to make sure she is on track.  She is! :)  We also discussed putting Ginny on solids and the plan of action for that.  I was pleased to learn that her doctor's attitude was the same as mine--to start Ginny with veggies then introduce fruits.  One of the questions I did ask the doctor was about foods I am allergic to.  I've read that some food allergies can be passed down.  The doctor told me to just hold off until she is a year old before introducing those foods, then we will watch her carefully for a reaction.

Getting her first taste of rice cereal

Daddy feeding a little!

One thing I did tell the doctor was that we started solids on Ginny yesterday with rice cereal.  I made up a tablespoon of it.  Ginny was not sure what to think of it though.  It wasn't that she didn't like it, rather she just wasn't sure what the stuff was going into her mouth.  A very new sensation for our baby girl.  This morning was day 2 on introducing solids.  She almost ate the full tablespoon.  She didn't mind it so much.  On Monday, we will try our first vegetable.  We'll see how that goes.

9 months

Well, I am officially 9 months pregnant now.  I'm 36 weeks and a couple days although my uterus is measuring at 37 weeks.  It is hard to believe!  Reality is truly beginning to hit now.

I had an appointment with my doctor on Wednesday.  Now I will be seeing Dr. Quinn once a week.  I only have 2 appointments left to go--next week and the following week.  Unreal.

The appt. went quite well.  It started with an ultrasound.  We were able to see the baby (who is positioned properly with his/her head down) and hear the strong heartbeat (160 bpm).  The baby looked fabulous and measured in the 85th percentile at 6 lbs 12 oz.  The ultrasound tech reminded us that the weight could be 1 pound off in either direction.  And, at this point the baby is growing 1/2 pound a week.  So, with 3 weeks to go....we'll have a healthy size baby. Anywhere from 7 1/2 lbs to 9 1/2 pounds.  I'm hoping for the lower end of that. ;)

While getting the ultrasound the baby kept moving around, even opening and closing his/her mouth.  I loved it!   Several pictures were taken (they are posted at the end of this post).  One even showed us some hair.  When I asked if that was the normal amount, the sonographer indicated that they usually only see a few wisps and it is quite possible that our baby will have a headful of hair when born.  Wow!

After the ultrasound, we saw the doctor.  We did the basics (measuring the uterus and Doppler), plus a group B strep culture.  She also checked the cervix.  It seems I am between 30-50% effaced and 1 cm dilated.  I did notice this morning that my mucus plug seems to be coming out (lovely discharge).    That means I'm probably getting more effaced.  Also, when I walk, I feel like the baby might "fall out."  I know that isn't possible, but it is a funky feeling.  Anyhow, I guess that means the baby could come any time, from now until the scheduled c-section on April 14.

The last thing we discussed with the doctor was the c-section a bit more in depth than we had in the past.  In my 20s, I had major trauma and internal bleeding which required exploratory surgery.  So....I have a long scar going down my belly already.  I joked for years that I would love to get the "normal" c-section cut (horizontal) so I could have an anchor on my belly.  The doctor told me that she won't be doing that.  She will need to cut along the scar tissue.  The main issue is that if she makes a brand new cut (the normal cut for c-sections), it could further weaken the area of my abs and even make it more likely that I would develop complications (like a hernia).  I did ask if I could have regular stitches instead of staples.  Dr. Quinn said no.  She did say that had this been my first abdominal surgery she probably would have done stitches, but since I've got the scar, they will need to do staples to best put things back together, essentially.  Oh well.  I tried. ;)  

Our next appointment is this coming Wednesday.  It should be a quickie appointment where she addresses any concerns, does the Doppler, and measures me.  Nothing too exciting, really.  The only excitement now is the knowledge that I will meet my baby very soon!  I can't wait to hold and love on our baby! :-)

Baby G waving to everyone!  Loving those fingers!

A blurry profile shot...Baby G kept opening and closing his/her mouth!

Face---I love that chipmunk cheek!

Lots of hair, it looks like.