Third trimester update

Can you believe we're already well into the third trimester? 28 weeks and counting! Mom and baby are doing well, as are Dad and Big Sister. I just had the gestational diabetes screen this week and we're awaiting the results, but there doesn't appear to be any need for concern. However, this pregnancy has caused some inconveniences, but thankfully nothing else. So far, we have had four sonograms and are already scheduled for our fifth. Here's the run-down:

Sonogram #1--Establishing an exact due date of September 7th. (The first pregnancy test I took was negative, on New Year's Eve of all times. However, I most certainly was pregnant as my round belly indicated several weeks later. Lesson learned: always take two pregnancy tests to verify a result).

Sonogram #2--A routine 18-week scan. At this point, the OB (who consults with our midwives) noted that the placenta was slightly low, possibly indicating a chance for placenta previa. The idea of bed-rest or a C-section later on was not pleasing to any of us. How exactly would you handle bed-rest with a toddler to care for?

Sonogram #3--All is well with the placenta, however, the baby is smaller than expected, in the 27th percentile. This doesn't worry us (neither of us has been contacted recently by the Guinness Book of World Records for setting any record of height or weight), but the OB asks us to come back again in a few weeks "just to monitor".

Sonogram #4--Overall growth is okay, except now only the baby's head appears to be on the small side. The OB noted that although I also have small-sized head for my body frame, Jonathan, most certainly does not. (We found this HILARIOUS for an OB to observe!) So, we're scheduled to come back in a few weeks to make sure that his/her head is growing at a decent rate. Everything else looks beautiful.

So, other than paying for parking each time and constantly reminding the technicians not to dare spoil the surprise of the baby's gender for us, we're grateful that we've got to glimpse at our baby so often. Last time they even gave us a 4-D image of the baby's face and he/she looks strikingly like Mali. Chubby cheeks and a radiant smile. Less than three months until we can see that face up close! (The below picture doesn't do it justice)