Baby

September 2nd, 2008

It has been awhile since we've written about any baby news. So, things are going really well. I am about 24.5 weeks along and definitely looking like there is a baby in there (or a large helping(s) of chocolate cake...you be the judge). We are very bad about taking belly pics, which is what people keep asking for. I think we have taken...2. Both during week 14, at which I really did look like I maybe ate a few slices too many of that cake. I will try and get Lucas to take one tonight that we can put up here. Edit: took picture, see below (not the greatest shot ever...but it will do):

We had an anatomy ultrasound done during week 18--that I do have pictures of that I can share. Baby is healthy and growing right on track. We did not (and will not) find out if baby is a boy or girl--it will be a surprise. I am finding out that people do not like it when you tell them it will be a surprise. This apparently "ruins their day" (per the ultrasound tech) and "takes all the fun out of it" (per half the people in my office). We, however, think it is lots of fun and are excited for the surprise!

I switched practitioners around week 17. I am now seeing a midwife who practices at a free standing birth center. She is great--and I feel like I am getting much more personalized care. She even offered me her old maternity clothes at my last visit. There are 2 birthing rooms at the birth center, designed to feel like bedrooms at home. Instead of a hospital bed, there is regular queen sized bed. There is a whirlpool tub, a kitchen, a room with couches and a TV for family to wait, lots of birthing aids (balls, stools, etc.), and a masseuse on staff. The environment there is very homey and much more relaxing than a hospital environment. If anyone has any questions about it, you are more than welcome to ask!

My aunts Kathy and Vicki co-hosted a baby shower for me when I visited Omaha in July. It was a lot of fun and very appreciated! We have not yet worked on a nursery, or bought much for the baby. Although, we did receive a baby carrier in the mail today from Lucas' mom, sister, and grandma that I am super excited about. Lucas helped pick out the pattern (scroll down on the linked page till you find "Jack") =]

I guess that's good for now! I'll try and do updates more often, or at least after each midwife appointment...that would be a reasonable goal!

posted by: kelly •

3 comments

Comment from: John Haefele [Visitor]

Hooray for you guys! I'm so excited to hear about your choice to switch to a midwife rather than a standard Ob/Gyn... my wife Hannah and I are two-time midwifers (the same one with both pregnancies), and while our first attempt wound up in the hospital (with an emergency C-section), our second crack yielded a successful, healthy delivery at home.

We may have opted for a birthing center, if there were more than, um - 1 - in the entire state of Missouri (two hours away in Columbia). However, since the state legislature finally pulled their heads out of their rears and legalized certified midwifery, we're hoping to see one open in St. Louis soon.

Not knowing the sex takes the fun out of it? What a load. You guys are awesome. We didn't find out with either of ours (although Hannah's mom did get the tech to tell her when we had an ultrasound done when Hannah was experiencing pre-term labor with our daughter; ugh). I don't really understand what "fun" there is in knowing in advance... BORING. All of that said, I actually guessed correctly both times (and Hannah guessed wrong both times :-)).

Anyway, I'm very excited for you, and look forward to reading more.

09/02/08 @ 23:29

Comment from: Kristy [Visitor]

Hooray for a baby update! Thanks. :) Glad to hear everything is going well. And I agree, if you guys don't want to find out, don't find out - its your baby after all!!

Looking good, Kelly. Keep the updates coming!

09/04/08 @ 08:34

Comment from: jeff [Visitor]