At 27 weeks, I had an ultrasound to check on the location of my placenta.  The news is good—my placenta is out of the way, and I can proceed with plans for a natural birth.  The absolute best part of this particular ultrasound for me was the fact that our little guy was SMILING.  He had one arm tucked up under his head and a leg up by his forehead, and a HUGE grin on his face!  We got a few screenshots of his beaming face, which we will no doubt have to post.  They estimated his weight to be around 2 lbs., 8 oz.  He is an active little bugger, which the midwives comment on during every appointment since it’s so hard to maintain his heartbeat with the doppler.  He does seem to be constantly wiggling around, which I hope is not foreshadowing for hyperactivity.

I’m now at 29 weeks.  Since my 27 week appointment, I haven’t gained any weight (I’m still up 20 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight), and my fundal height hasn’t changed.  I’m still measuring 27 weeks even though I am 29 weeks along.  The midwife explained that it’s probably because his head is down and he is engaging in my pelvis already—his position may be “throwing off” the numbers.  Engaging in my pelvis already??!  I’m not ready for this!  I also got my pre-registration packet and birthing center questionnaire for my hospital stay.  Already??!!!  Really??!!  Didn’t I just find out I’m pregnant?  And now all of a sudden I only have 11 weeks give or take, before he gets here?!  Shit.  I’m also starting to get Braxton Hicks, and I’m starting to feel pressure when squatting or otherwise kneeling down towards the ground.  I’m wondering if I’ll dilate and efface early like I did with Holden.  With H, I walked around at 3 cm dilated, 80% effaced, and 0 station for about a month before he was actually born.  I remember my last midwife appointment with Holden I was at 4 cm, and I was convinced he was just going to drop out of me at any moment.  Now of course, it didn’t actually go down that way!  But I *was* very uncomfortable and felt pressure almost all the time during the last 4-6 weeks before he was delivered.  But then I got lucky and had a fast 6 hour labor.  So I wonder if things will go similarly this time around.

We’ve picked a name (we’re 95% sure of it), and Holden has even finally come around to it.  He vehemently protested our choice at first, but he seems to be embracing it at this point.  I’ve been trying to focus on spending some quality time with H while it’s still just the two of us.  Things won’t be the same once his brother gets here, and I want to soak up all of our fun Mommy-Holden dates to the aquarium, library, etc.  Last week he had his final ENT appointment, and was released from his care for good!  The ENT said his ears look great, and he shouldn’t have any further problems.  I treated H to a day out on the town after his happy appointment.  We went to the mall, walked Church Street Marketplace, bought him a new reading lamp for his bedroom, bought him a book from our favorite used bookstore, and had a leisurely lunch.  He is my little buddy, and I am sure going to miss our special times together.  I can’t believe he’ll be a couple months shy of his 4th birthday when his brother gets here.  ACK!  You know what all of this means??  It means I am growing up and getting older, too.  I. can’t. deal.  Just kidding.  I’ll get over it.

Today:  Read some articles for work.  Eat grilled cheese with Holden, made with yummy, honey whole wheat bread from Great Harvest Bread Company.  Clean out baby’s closet because it is a hot mess in there.  Drink hot chocolate.  Make lasagna rolls for dinner.  Eat more yummy bread.

Tomorrow:  More jury duty:(