October 19, 2014
Dear Matthew,
As of today, there are 9 weeks, 1 day left till you are due. 64 days! You really seem to be doing well, though I must say, you are enormous. I measured two weeks further along than I really am at the doctors appointment last Wednesday, which supports the existing theory created by the 28 week ultrasound that your overall size will be in the 97th percentile. Ultrasound measurements aren't generally all that reliable, but you do seem huge.
An additional update from that appointment is that your (my?) placenta hasn't moved yet. I still have a marginal previa. That was sad for me to hear because I really want to be able to bring you into the world the old fashioned way. It won't be safe to do that if the placenta doesn't move in time. I haven't given up hope, though. The final ultrasound isn't till week 36. I'll continue to hope until then; and in the end, getting you here safely is what matters most.
I feel like I'm getting to know you already, mostly based on your patterns of movement. In this way, it's so clear to me how much you are already your own person. I love the way you roll around so gently and adorably; and how at other times you punch and kick like a prize fighter. Your jabs and gymnastics are so powerful people can see them with their peripheral vision! You get especially active when John Denver's Sesame Street Performance plays on YouTube and whenever I drink milk.
Despite the heightened chance of c-section, my body is still working to prepare for you. The tendons in my hips are loosening and Braxton Hicks contractions are mild but frequent. You have usurped the space once allocated for my lungs so I'm short of breath, and my nose is often stuffy. But this is all ok. I haven't been unbearably uncomfortable except for today, when I wore very high heels to church (because my reasonable, sensible heels don't fit my pregnant feet anymore).
All of us are so excited to meet you. We look forward to meeting you in just two more months.
Love, Mom
P.S. I was going to say a couple more months, but your brother is looking over my shoulder and pointed out that you might not know what "a couple" means, so I should say two instead. He's already looking out for you :-)
