Ultrasounds & a Baby Shower!

Last Tuesday, I went in to Dr. McDonald's office for my 2nd Biophysical Profile exam. The first one I had, landed me in the hospital so I was kind of nervous about this next one! Well, I once again was hooked up to the fetal monitors, and this time everything looked great! YAY! So, it was on to have a quick ultrasound to see how little Brooke was doing in my belly. It was a very fast ultrasound and the technician was clicking away on the machine. I had no idea what I was seeing on the screen! At one point, I thought I saw her face, but the screen image was so blurry it was hard to tell. The technician did say that she saw hair on her head! I was surprised since I was a bald baby. She couldn't tell how much...it could just be like peach fuzz! But, I can't wait to see if she will be a blonde baby like Reagan and I were. We keep thinking she will come out with a head full of red hair! My Nana is a red head, so we will just have to see! So, after the ultrasound, it was on to see Dr. McDonald. She said everything looked great and to keep being lazy. She still wants me to stop taking the Procardia at 34 weeks because she said after that point in pregnancy, there's no real proof that the medicine will still work. Which I am fine with...I'd rather not take any medication while pregnant especially if it has no use! And, this Procardia has been giving me some serious headaches. I will just make sure I take it extra easy once I'm off the medication so I don't have any more contractions.

On Friday, we went to see Dr. Gei again. Dr. M wanted me to see him again because he is a high-risk doctor and they have the better ultrasound equipment. They wanted to see if there was a reason why Brooke was so small. This ultrasound was very neat! We were actually able to see everything so clear on the screen. The technician was trying so hard to show us her face, but I think Brooke is taking after her mommy already...she was being very shy! First of all, she was face down and then she had her arm over half of her face! The technician was trying all sorts of things to get her to move her arm, but she just wouldn't. We were able to see one eye and her nose. Reagan and I both agreed that we think she's got Reagan's nose! Guess we will have to wait and see if our prediction is right! Dr. Gei came in after a while and talked with us while he looked at Brooke on the ultrasound as well. He said that she looks very healthy and even though she is underweight, the good news is that they don't see any reason why she is small. Her lungs look good, there's enough amniotic fluid, she's getting all the oxygen she needs...she's just teeny, tiny. I guess by the measurements they took, they were able to tell how much she weighs. Right now, she only weighs 3 pounds, 7 ounces. The average weight, where she should be at this point, is 4 and a half pounds. So, my diet has no restrictions which means eat as often and as much as I want! And, hopefully some of it will start fattening up little Brooke! He wants me to come back for a follow-up ultrasound on August 13th...we will see if she decides to stay in until then!

On Saturday, Gretchen, Lindsey, Keren, and Cathy threw Reagan and I a Hawaiian themed couple's shower. It was so much fun! They did such a great job and the decorations were so cute! We even had hula skirts to wear. Mine didn't fit so well...it popped off when I sat down! They made a diaper cake AND a diaper wreath! They decorated them with all kinds of much needed baby items and LOTS of monkeys!! Brooke is definitely going to be our "little monkey"! They made a fabulous meal with pulled pork sandwiches, pasta, potato salad, fruit, corn, and YUMMY petit fours for dessert. I was definitely stuffed after eating all that good food! Brooke received a lot of wonderful gifts. She got a cute bag with her name emboidered on it, lots of toys, some cute outfits, and lots more! We got some much needed baby items as well. Some of the things we received are her baby baths, bottles, lots of diapers, and a tubside kneeler. Thank you to everyone, we feel so blessed to have received all of these gifts! We also received a lot of hand-me-downs from Keren which is MUCH appreciated!! It was so good to see everyone. I loved being able to get out of the house to see my friends! Thank you ladies for throwing us such a fun shower!!