Time Flies When You’re Growing A Person: An Update
It’s been a while since I’ve written, so here’s a little potpourri of updates from the last few weeks.
Happy to report that since this neurotic first-time mom’s frantic post about the breech baby, Internet turning vibes worked and we’ve got an obedient kid who went south for the summer! Baby Friedman is head down and while I so not appreciate the added pressure on my bladder, I really do appreciate the fact that our C-section odds are virtually slim to none.
The baby had another photoshoot at 35 weeks! The ultrasound studio promised us free return visits until we were all satisfied with Baby’s position and poses. Because of her breech position, we could never get a really good shot of her whole face without other body parts covering her up in typical acrobatic fashion. Third time really was a charm, and we got some awesome photos of her face, which, like her mama’s, is alllll cheek! We caught her mid-yawn which is also really cute. You know, because it’s a rough and tiring life being warm and cozy inside a uterus. We are already so proud of her and all she did was turn her body!
I think I even felt her turn, which is so bizarre. My mom and I were having lunch with our mother-daughter friends, Michelle and Stefanie, who I’m so excited to be reconnected with after so many years! Stefanie has an adorable 3.5 month-old daughter, Brielle, and it’s been so fun to see her as a mommy and she’s been so helpful with all of her advice and perspective having just gone through this adventure. We were all sitting around catching up on the couch for a few hours, and when I stood up to leave, I felt a very different sensation in my tummy area. I suddenly felt super heavy below my belly button and even a little off-balance. Nothing bad; just different. We were crossing our fingers it meant that the baby had turned, but I had no idea it could happen so suddenly in one big sweep like that! Sure enough, the sonographer at the ultra sound studio confirmed that’s what it was the next day. And a week later, at my appointment with Dr. Fiiiiiine, she confirmed that the munchkin had swooped directions. Lots of cheering!
Dr. Fiiiiine also did a little check-a-roo and remarked that I have a soft cervix. Why thank you! I had no idea what this even meant, but she commented that it’s a good sign for a vaginal delivery. Alright, I’ll take it. High 5 to my body. She’s also monitoring some slight puffiness in my face to make sure there are no preeclampsia-type situations, but she doesn’t seem too concerned. Nothing like waiting on the butcher paper table for the doctor and the first thing she says when she walks in is, “You look a little puffy.” Hey, no hard feelings. We learned that the weekly appointments that lead up to the last four weeks of pregnancy are actually not to monitor for labor, but to check for this very attribute: puffiness. Who knew?! She did say it was super normal and as long as I’m not having any other weird symptoms (I’m not), then we should be all good. Right, but that still doesn’t change the fact that I’m going to be a hippopotamus at my high school reunion this coming weekend. Never thought that on graduation day in 2001, I’d be pregnant at my 10-year. Funny how timing works out.
In the past month, the nursery has been painted mostly decorated. The furniture arrived just before and the room is really coming along. I will definitely post pictures once all the finishing touches are up. Princeton has already discovered he likes to hang out under the crib. I wonder if he’ll still enjoy this lounge location even when there’s a crying baby above him! He has sniffed around the room and explored all the new smells and pieces. I often try to get in his brain and figure out if he has any idea what these changes mean. I hope he’s not having a “Lady and the Tramp” moment, when Lady starts to feel unimportant and worried when the baby preparation happens. I love our little Princeton too much, and I want him to feel included. He’s part of the family! Does anyone have experiences with the family dog and a new baby in the house?
Can’t believe the ultrasound pictures. Things have sure come a long way. She sure has the chubby cheeks.
Cousin Marilyn
Hearing about and seeing the changes you have gone through during these past almost 9 months have been very entertaining and exciting BUT I will never forget the look on your face when you stood up, grabbed your lower part of your belly and exclaimed how something “feels different!” And then you twisted from side to side and said, “I feel somethng sloshing around in my belly!” Then we all concluded that maybe Baby Girl Friedman turned. The look of realization on your face was priceless! xoxox
Love the pictures! The last one looks like she is singing….shocker! Glad to hear that she is ready for her grand entrance!