We have a date!

Induction has been scheduled! Tyler and I will check in at the hospital, Spectrum Butterworth, in the evening on Valentine's Day. We expect to welcome our baby girl sometime late Friday morning or Friday afternoon, February 15. The doctor says, however, that the baby could still choose to make her appearance earlier.

34 weeks

This afternoon was filled with a nonstress test, an ultrasound, and a visit with Dr. Dood. Baby is still looknig great-very active and strong heartbeat. The ultrasound showed that she has grown well and now weighs 4 pounds, 8 ounces. She should continue to gain about 1/2 pound a week. She still remains small, in the 9th%, but absolutely healthy in every way. Because of this additional data that shows she is growing along a normal growth curve and the terrific nonstress tests, induction can wait until the 38th week. We should know a date soon, but now expect to meet our little girl around Valentine's Day!

Christmas Pictures

Above: Nanna, Ella, and Pappy

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Left: Tyler, Christy, Gray, and Ella

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Below: Christy, Tyler, Dave, Kristy, Pappy, and Ella

Baby Update - 32 weeks

Our baby has moved into the correct position, head down, and very low. I don't think she'll be moving much now. The doctor is monitoring her size and growth, since she has been around the 10th percentile. Currently, she is about 3 1/2 pounds.

This week I started going into the doctor's office twice a week to have a nonstress test. I get to relax in a comfy reclining chair while some monitors are hooked to my belly. A realtime graph prints showing if I'm having any contractions, the baby's movement, and the baby's heartrate in relation to the movement. A good graph shows that as the baby moves and "exercises" her heartrate increases.

Because baby is still small, regular ultrasounds will be done as well to make sure she's still following a normal growth pattern. Right now, Dr. Dood expects to induce about three weeks early, around February 7.

Tyler and I are busy finishing last minute jobs around the house, moving Ella into her new bedroom, and getting the nursery ready... one month earlier than we planned! If there are any new changes on the baby's health or my delivery date, I'll try to update the blog to let everyone know.