Hey LG (little guy),
I was chatting with a friend this morning and it came up that you got really animated during a wretchedly loud thunder storm the other week. I'm 22.5 weeks now, so I think that was right at 20 weeks. That means violent thunder was probably one of the very first things you ever heard. I'm so sorry about that. :(. I hope you've forgiven this world by now. I promise, it is usually much gentler than that.
Love you :)
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
20.5 weeks - halfway there!
Dear Matthew,
We have been on this journey together for 20 weeks now. I wonder what it's felt like to you. Probably an eternity! But the time is flying by from my perspective.
On the medical front (which doesn't seem especially informative, but here it is in case you wonder someday)… A couple weeks ago we had your anatomy scan and you looked perfect. You measured right on track in every dimension except a biggish tummy, and I'm guessing that's because I fed you all those cheese straws ;-). The placenta that feeds you has inconveniently planted itself right next to my cervix, which really didn't surprise me much. I could tell I was feeling something going on down there earlier than was normal. So, when the tech told me, I really wasn't concerned. The doctor was a little more anxious about it, but he and the tech both reassured me that as long as I don't jostle you around too much, the placenta will almost certainly move out of the way and allow us to proceed with that VBAC. For now, it doesn't seem to cause you any challenges and you really seem to be doing well!
Although it feels like time is passing quickly, I have been working joyfully to prepare for you. The co-sleeper is in place, I have your non-newborn cloth diapers and you have a small wardrobe washed and on hangers awaiting you. I'm researching strollers and babywearing contraptions, and a friend is even organizing a shower to celebrate your impending arrival! Tonight your brother took his sibling class and learned what he will need to know in order to change your diaper, to swaddle you, to hold you, and to play with you. He has also made 13 videos, so far, in a series he's recording to teach you everything you'll need to know in life. Your swing is nestled snuggly the room you will (eventually) share with your brother, and every bedtime he practices kissing a stuffed bear (who stands in for you) "goodnight."
As we have entered the second half of our pregnancy, my thoughts have turned somewhat to labor and to your birth. I'm really wondering if at any level you have a sense of what's coming, and if you know how eagerly we await your entry. Your due date is in 19 weeks and 4 days, and we are hoping you'll be coming vaginally. So far everything looks like that can happen, and that's my deepest hope. I'm also hoping you'll come when your body is ready, knowing that you are coming into a family and space that is safe and ready for you. It will be different out here, yes; but not in the most important ways. And the love awaiting you out here is absolutely boundless.
In other important readiness ingredients, a while back I asked our friend Karen to join us in the delivery room while I'm in labor. I knew both your dad and I would need some support that we wouldn't necessarily be able to give to one another, and I had an intuitive sense that if Karen were willing and able, that her energy and presence would be especially valuable to you as well. She said yes, and I've been feeling enormously more confident about labor ever since. A few weeks later, and a couple weeks ago, she gave me a fantastic massage and gave both of us some pretty incredible energy work. It felt to me like you were meeting her and you were absolutely giddy! It was fun and funny and sweet and just wonderful. I hadn't ever been so aware of how you were doing as I was when you were under her hands, and I wouldn't give anything for it. Since then, I've had an increasingly clear sense of your presence in me, and not just that you are there, but how you are doing. I really do sense your happiness and lightness, and I really can't wait to meet you.
You'll hear from me many times before then, but just so you know what I'm so eagerly pondering tonight, I'll see you in December!
Love, Mom
We have been on this journey together for 20 weeks now. I wonder what it's felt like to you. Probably an eternity! But the time is flying by from my perspective.
On the medical front (which doesn't seem especially informative, but here it is in case you wonder someday)… A couple weeks ago we had your anatomy scan and you looked perfect. You measured right on track in every dimension except a biggish tummy, and I'm guessing that's because I fed you all those cheese straws ;-). The placenta that feeds you has inconveniently planted itself right next to my cervix, which really didn't surprise me much. I could tell I was feeling something going on down there earlier than was normal. So, when the tech told me, I really wasn't concerned. The doctor was a little more anxious about it, but he and the tech both reassured me that as long as I don't jostle you around too much, the placenta will almost certainly move out of the way and allow us to proceed with that VBAC. For now, it doesn't seem to cause you any challenges and you really seem to be doing well!
Although it feels like time is passing quickly, I have been working joyfully to prepare for you. The co-sleeper is in place, I have your non-newborn cloth diapers and you have a small wardrobe washed and on hangers awaiting you. I'm researching strollers and babywearing contraptions, and a friend is even organizing a shower to celebrate your impending arrival! Tonight your brother took his sibling class and learned what he will need to know in order to change your diaper, to swaddle you, to hold you, and to play with you. He has also made 13 videos, so far, in a series he's recording to teach you everything you'll need to know in life. Your swing is nestled snuggly the room you will (eventually) share with your brother, and every bedtime he practices kissing a stuffed bear (who stands in for you) "goodnight."
As we have entered the second half of our pregnancy, my thoughts have turned somewhat to labor and to your birth. I'm really wondering if at any level you have a sense of what's coming, and if you know how eagerly we await your entry. Your due date is in 19 weeks and 4 days, and we are hoping you'll be coming vaginally. So far everything looks like that can happen, and that's my deepest hope. I'm also hoping you'll come when your body is ready, knowing that you are coming into a family and space that is safe and ready for you. It will be different out here, yes; but not in the most important ways. And the love awaiting you out here is absolutely boundless.
In other important readiness ingredients, a while back I asked our friend Karen to join us in the delivery room while I'm in labor. I knew both your dad and I would need some support that we wouldn't necessarily be able to give to one another, and I had an intuitive sense that if Karen were willing and able, that her energy and presence would be especially valuable to you as well. She said yes, and I've been feeling enormously more confident about labor ever since. A few weeks later, and a couple weeks ago, she gave me a fantastic massage and gave both of us some pretty incredible energy work. It felt to me like you were meeting her and you were absolutely giddy! It was fun and funny and sweet and just wonderful. I hadn't ever been so aware of how you were doing as I was when you were under her hands, and I wouldn't give anything for it. Since then, I've had an increasingly clear sense of your presence in me, and not just that you are there, but how you are doing. I really do sense your happiness and lightness, and I really can't wait to meet you.
You'll hear from me many times before then, but just so you know what I'm so eagerly pondering tonight, I'll see you in December!
Love, Mom
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