You can click on them to enlarge.
In some photos, you'll notice a hand or some umbilical cord in the way, but for the most part, she (and it was reconfirmed to be a she today) was very patient and accomodating for her first real closeup photos.
We were heartened to learn that everything was very normal and that she is almost exactly average (just a smidge under) on the curve for size, which, by the way, was 2000 grams even, our ultrasound technician told us.
Today represented a real milestone for us, and for me in particular. Getting to see her face and to be reassured that everything was normal (fingers, toes, no hare lip and even HAIR) that could be observed helps to relieve a lot of worry and worst case scenarios that I had. Her heartbeat is strong and her cord blood flow is good and all that's left is to wait for her to be ready to come out and say 'hello' to us all for the first time. Our Pregnancy Journal states, "From this time on, your baby has the maturity to adapt to living outtside the womb if born." That is reassuring, indeed us to have made it so far.
While I'm sure that the baby is of most (and for many of you, the only) interest, we do have a couple of updated belly shots of SAM. Both of these were taken 'yesterday' or rather on day 218 which was Tuesday, Sept 11.
It's hard to tell from the photos, but the belly is getting ever larger. Sam's belly is surprisingly hard with baby parts filling out the space in her belly. It is becoming easier and easier to discern individual parts to outsiders (i.e. not Sam or Baby) and Sam is able to (she thinks) figure out what little Petunia is doing much more clearly and easily than before.
We were both stunned at the capabilities of today's technology and thankful for how it has allowed us to be reassured and kept up to date at each step of this process. Modern science is truly miraculous and I am proud to be associated with Brad whose work will help us to move forward the boundaries of the possible.
Some final tidbits. We've finally cancelled our reservations at Matilda, the private hospital and are now committed to Queen Mary, the public one. Our birthing classes are going well and we've enrolled in a Doula service which means a qualified midwife will come over to help monitor and reassure Sarah when she starts her labor and then accompany her to the hospital when she's ready. In this way, she can stay home as long as possible in a safe and calm way.
Also, in answer to Sylvia's question, no, we don't have a legal name yet. We've got some options, but we're going to wait to meet her to decide.
We DO, however, have an illegal name. Esmeralda Ursula. Anyone who calls her that will be arrested and shot. Particularly in Venezuela.
4 comments:
Those pictures are beyond words. I had no idea that I would ever be able to see a baby in the womb with that much clarity. It's absolutely amazing. It makes me realize that she really is in there, snuggly, and will be coming out sometime relatively soon. She looks perfect. I'm so relieved that everything is normal and that she is now mature enough to survive outside with womb without too much further technology. Now she'll probably come on time, or a little late to make it on November 5th, but at least all worries about when can be relieved. I am so happy for both of you and for little Petunia. This really is going to happen. She's home.kem
She's absolutely beautiful! That first picture is so incredibly perfect. I'm in awe, like Sylvia, that we can see so much so early. What a wonderful gift to get a picture like that. I think she may even have SAM's nose! It's remarkable similar to her baby pictures. And what a beautiful mouth! She's so pretty already! Watch out, Dad! You'll have to stand guard till she's twenty-five! No dating! NO MEN!!
Can you wait till she's ready to come out?? Can I wait till Christmas?????
Thank you so much for sharing. I am unbelievably excited! :-) XXOO to you three.
In the excitement over Petunia's pictures I forgot to say how beautiful her mother is looking too! And how big she is getting! I love the red and white top and white pants- very sharp, indeed. A true fashion statement for maternity wear and an advertisement for pregnancy in the mother's "bloom" (like a flower!) :-) John, can you still hug them?
Hugging? No problem! It's easier from the back or side, but if we both bend over a bit, it works great!
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