4 Weeks - Confiding

Another week of peeking with Dr. Moreno off the record and you have grown just enough to see a tiny speck on the ultrasound screen. It is still too early to find out when your due date will be but you are doing perfectly. 

I saw a good friend Meg this week and shared with her about the visits we've been having with Dr. Moreno. I told her that now I have a reason to be seeing her and after a second she caught on to my hint. She is very excited about you and knows how much we have prayed for you. 

Slow and steady little one with great hopes that you will stay with us.

3 Weeks - Answered Prayers

It has been a long summer of pleading and praying for you and on July 25th our prayers were answered.  After 5 pregnancy tests, a slightly panicked/excited call to Dr. Moreno, and a thank you prayer to Heavenly Father we are very excited that you have decided to join our family. 

Two days later Dr. Moreno let me come for a little ultrasound peek and you are so small that we couldn't actually see you. Dr. Moreno said we could see you every week for the next little while. 

39 Weeks - The Final Moments

We saw Dr. Moreno on Monday and she feels its best we give you a little more time. At 39 weeks and 3 days, my body wasnt quite doing what it needed to. We all want to give you the best start possible so we will go in for our NST on Thursday morning and she will come visit us there. Hopefully either I have done what I need to do or Dr. Moreno will set a date for us all.

It is a little overwhelming with all of the unknowns but your Dad and I are going to wait patiently for you to join us. In the meantime we have cleaned the house, gotten the carpets cleaned, and dusted our hearts out. Dont worry, we will keep doing it all until the last minute.We also took some time to head up to the Accenture Tournament and spend some time together.

I have been thinking about these past 39 weeks and have a lot thoughts about it all. Here are a couple.

- At some point putting on socks is really hard to do.
- Braxton Hicks contractions can still take your breath away.
- When rolling over in bed becomes a 4 point turn, it has gone too far.
- The amount of toilet paper I must have gone through is above and beyond.
- Working really wasnt too bad and sure made the time go a lot faster.
- Its ok when you cant see certain parts of yourself any more, one day you might get to again.
- The love and attachment you feel to a baby growing inside of you is more than can be explained.

Here are the photos from your nursery. We love you and I do say with all hope, that we will see you soon.

Growth Stats
Mommy - 123 lbs
Baby Otte - 8lbs 8oz

38 Weeks - Final Ultrasound

We met with Suzie one last time to try and estimate just how much your sweet self has grown. Suzie was great and was able to get me in and out during my lunch break from work. As she looked at the pictures on the screen she was able to see that I had a lot of fluid, which is great for you. Suzie told me that when my water breaks, I will surely know. Your measurements looked great and the final number was that you were 8lbs 6 oz. I am not sure how you got so big but way to go.

Only one more day of working and then I am going to take a couple days off before you are born. We are going to clean and clean the house for you, get your room all put together and just take a breather before you change our lives. We love you so much and are beside ourselves that we get to be your parents. Not too much longer now little girl. Take care.

 

Growth Stats

Mommy - 122 lbs
Baby Otte - 8lbs 6 oz

37 Weeks: Hello Dr. Barber

For one last check up we visited with Dr. Barber and Mark the Ultrasound Tech. They pondered and analyzed your little heart on the screen, looking at how the blood was flowing and how the heart sounded. Final answer was that there might be another little problem. Your heart has two sides, a right and a left, and on the screen it looked like there was a hole between the two. It does not change anything though, you were still be watched very closely and you will sill be a NICU baby, at least for a little while. Mark was able to look at your feet and they looked perfect. He also looked at the back of your neck checking for fluid and it looked great too. So now all we need is to give you a little more time and hopefully we will see you safe and sound.

Dr. Barber goes to Mexico this weekend to help with Medical Clinics so if you would just hang out with me until he gets back that would be great.

Love you tons Miss Addie.

 

Growth Stats

Mommy - 123 lbs

Baby Otte - 8lbs

36 Weeks - Growing like a Weed

We had your growth and fetal echo ultrasound today which means we had quite the crowd watching your every move. Dr. Barber, Dr. Machulla, and Suzie were all in attendance to see just how you are doing. They shared some good news, in that your heart is still growing and you are growing and growing. Suzie said you had a lot of hair and she could see it on the ultrasound flowing. We couldnt believe it. The original plan remains and you are still NICU bound but everyone is ready and waiting for your arrival.

After the team looked at everything, I asked how much you had grown in 4 weeks. They took my breath away when they told me you had grown from 4lbs 14 oz to 7lbs 8 oz. You are literally growing like a weed and I must say I am afraid if you keep it up that you wont come out. But the great thing is that the bigger you are, the better. Better for the doctors and better for you. I love you little peapod and we only have 3 weeks and 2 days left. Cant wait to meet you.

 

Growth stats
Mommy - 122 lbs

Baby Otte - 7lbs 8oz.

35 Weeks - Baby Shower Surprises

Yesterday I went to a Great Beginnings baby class with Kelly, who came down from Flagstaff to for the shower. The teacher taught us about bathing, swaddling, diapering and some milestones that you will reach as you grow. It was really nice of Kelly to come to the class with me, your Dad was on a trip with the Scouts and couldn't make it.

Today we had a baby shower for friends and family in Tucson. Marci and Kylee were so kind as to throw you the shower and it was an awesome day. Some friends from Sahuarita came up and the most surprising of all was one of my life long friends Jennie came. I had no idea she was coming until I got to Marci's house, walked into the kitchen and just saw her standing there. I was so shocked and surprised that I started crying. She drove all the way here from San Diego and I just could not believe it.

A lot of people from the Ward came and it was just a fun day. Marci's mom, Aunt Janet, had this beautiful cake made for you and it had these cute little flower A's and cute little shoes. They are so delicate and perfect, I loved them.

After the baby shower, my mum and dad, Jennie and her boyfriend Steve, Kelly, Preston and I all went out to dinner. We chatted about the old times and just enjoyed each others company.

Growth Stats

Mommy - 119 lbs

Baby Otte - 6 lbs 8 oz.