Weekly Visits Rock!

Last week, I told John that with things going as well as they were, I sort of felt guilty about moving to the weekly ultrasound visits because really, they were just more for my peace of mind. Of course, I then got over that guilt pretty quickly, because my peace of mind is priceless (and rare) these days.

So, I was VERY glad that I already had an appointment scheduled for this week. Though Dr. Sweeney just told us to come in whenever we could yesterday (I know his office staff must cringe when patients walk in and go, "Dr. Sweeney said to come whenever....") because our appointment was actually supposed to be Monday, I called to get a time frame and hopefully help their scheduling out some. Luke moved around all day, so I wasn't too worried, but was curious about the kidney issue and his growth.

He looks great. Still refuses to take that little hand away from his face, but other than that, a couple of sweet pictures--especially of him smiling and his sweet (big!) feet! The sono tech at the hospital measured and found him to be 2 lbs., 14 oz (which put him in the 12th% for growth and about 5/6 days behind gestational age) but John said that she wasn't quite as accurate as our friends (who do that all day long) and he'd guess it was closer to 3 lbs., 4 oz., because those measurements could be as much as 200 grams off. Only John would be able to do that conversion all right there.

Suzanne measured him at 3 lbs., 6 oz., which would TOTALLY confirm he was probably 3 lbs., 4 oz. on Sunday because they tend to gain about an ounce or so a day....he was in the 54th%tile, same as last week, and just perfect. Yawning, moving all over, just very content and happy. Dr. Sweeney looked at his kidney and his left one is enlarged some, but is considered mild pelviectasis and he's not a bit worried. My worry is that Luke has a UTI and we wouldn't really know until he was born and they could do a test, but he doesn't think that's it at all...more reflux if anything, and it is very common in boys. So, Matthew's was hiding and Luke's is bulging a bit. My boys.

As I said, though, no one's worried. Dr. Sweeney had noted that one was larger than the other, but always within common/normal limits and now we'll just keep a good eye on it for the next several weeks until he's born. If it gets bigger, or doesn't change, after he's born, we'll take him to a pediatric urologist. Funny...I had researched those for Matthew. We'll be fine.

I have remained pretty steady with weight-- 116-117ish. No swelling, which makes such a difference. Sleeping in 1-2 hour chunks, so getting up with Luke should be par for the course by the time he gets here. I've had a pretty icky sore throat for a few days, and originally thought it was from the ball and just talking too loud over the insanely loud music they were playing. Nope, it's still here. Still sore. Really sore. And strep is going around. I have not found a primary care doctor since I switched to Tricare Standard, so I'll probably end up having to go to Urgent Care today. Hooray.

Nothing else, really....see Dr. Shonekan tomorrow (now that Dr. Sweeney is weekly, every other week I'll have two doctors in one week. As much as a pain as my insurance can be, what would I do without it?!) and then Luke's shower is in a week and a half. I'm very excited to see people and for people to 'see' Luke. I'm going to post the sweet little invite and if you can read it and are in the area, would love to see you. We have been very, very blessed with such wonderful support and compassion in the last year and just want to be able to celebrate God's amazing grace.

Here are some pics of Luke...as we get closer, we're losing room in there, so not as many as great pictures, but I love the sweet feet and him smiling!!!

Soooooo tired of all these pictures.....wonder what they'll be doing when I'm BORN!

Profile...lots of mom and dad and big brother!

He has a BLAST using those sweet feet to kick my right side!

Dr. Sweeney's SO good at getting smile shots!

Here are some Luke stats for Week 30:

Week Thirty: Baby puts on pounds

You are 30 weeks pregnant. (fetal age 28 weeks) Baby measurements are 16 inches and weighs about 3 pounds. Length is 40cm and your baby's weight is 1.4 kilograms. The head is almost 3.5 inches (8cm) in diameter. The feet are nearly 2.5 inches (6cm) long. The wrinkled skin is becoming smoother now. In boys, the testicles have moved down to the groin. The baby controls its own body temperature. For several months, the umbilical cord has been the baby's lifeline to the mother. Nourishment is transferred from the mothers blood, through the placenta, and into the umbilical cord to the fetus. Their bone marrow is now responsible for red cell production. These red blood cells will continue to service your child's body by transporting oxygen and removing the wastes. Your baby begins storing iron, calcium and phosphorus. The fetus now weighs about 3 pounds (1.4kg). He or she will gain about half a pound a week until week 38. Baby is getting fatter and beginning to control its own body temperature. Baby continues to put on fat stores and the major weight gains will occur in the coming weeks. Eyebrows and eyelashes are fully developed, and hair on the head is getting thicker. Head and body are now proportioned like a newborn. Hands are now fully formed and fingernails are growing. Can be seen on ultrasound scans grasping their other hand or feet, this is helping with nerve development. Eyelids are opening and closing, and will often make rapid eye movements - a sign they could be dreaming. You may be starting to experience some swelling of your ankles and legs. If you have not experienced any swelling yet, it is highly probable that you will, as approximately 40 to 75 percent of women experience mild swelling related to pregnancy. Your uterus is now about 4 inches (10cm) above your bellybutton. It may feel like you are running out of room as your uterus grows up under your ribs. However, your fetus, placenta and uterus will continue to get larger, you still have 10 weeks to go. The average weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds (11.5 to 16kg). About half of this weight is concentrated in the growth of the uterus, the placenta, the baby and in the volume of amniotic fluid. At this point, you should be gaining about a pound (500 grams) a week.