Week 27

Hello Friends/Family!! :)

Hope this all finds you well! Gabe and I just had our week 27 baby appointment this last Tuesday, so I wanted to let you know what the latest scoop on my growing belly (and IS IT growing!).

We usually have our doctor appointments on Wednesday, but Dr. Jensen must had to golf or something, because this Wednesday he had the day off. We have gotten in the habit of going to our doctor visits, and then attending the $5 Movie Night at the Warren Theater to celebrate our healthy baby girl (or) boy. This appointment we had to settle for dinner at home, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 from the comfort (well - not for me) of our couch.

As you probably all know by past McBaby Updates - my belly is ahead of schedule. Two appointments ago (when I was 23 weeks), I was measuring at 29 weeks. This last Tuesday (at 27 weeks), I was measuring at 32 weeks. The average mom's belly grows 1 cm each week (for 40 cm's in 40 weeks). There was a total change of 3 cm's in the last 4 weeks, so Dr. Jensen said that my growing is slowing, but I'm still ahead of schedule. I was always off the height/weight charts the whole time I was growing up - I guess I shouldn't expect anything different while I'm growing a baby!!

The baby's heart beat this week was 136. So, we've gone from 144 to 142 to 140 to currently 136. Gabe was excited to hear from the nurse that boy's heart rates are usually lower than girls... so as the heart rate decreases, Gabe's enthusiasm increases for a future sports buddy. Please note, if we have a girl, he will instantly be wrapped around her miniature finger, and dreams of footballs will likely fade to visions of Barbies. (Surely you can still play wrestling with Barbies - the same as wrestling figurines - right Mary?? he he)

Dr. Jensen said that most likely we will have another sonogram in the last month of our pregnancy. If for some reason the little (ha ha) McBaby is weighing 16 lbs, he may take it sooner than November 12th. However, - if we're weighing in around 6 lbs or so, he's going to let nature do it's course... whether it's by November 12th, or November 19th. He just wants to make sure the little one doesn't get 'too big'. But otherwise - He/She will arrive whenever they're ready!

I had some routine blood work done at this appointment. Gabe stayed in the waiting room while I was in the lab. No need for any passing out before I got into labor. :) They're testing for antibodies, and to make sure I'm not becoming anemic. It was fun chatting with the lab tech. She was pregnant with twins her first time, and then had a boy during her second pregnancy. I asked her how many kids she had... she said 18!!! I was wondering why I hadn't seen her on 19 Kids & Counting... but she informed me they adopted the other 15 in addition to their original 3 children. I've always wanted a large family... but really, the world doesn't need that many McKeevers... just yet anyway. :)

Our next appointment is Wednesday (yes!) September the 7th. [Right after Jason/Alex's wedding - wohoo!! And right before my Marysville Baby Shower] That's only 3 weeks away because Dr. wants to get us on a 'even' week schedule. That should be right at 30 weeks. This will be my last 'monthly' appointment, because I will start going every 2 weeks after that (twice), and then weekly until McBaby arrives. I can not believe we're already getting to our more frequent appointments. I remember the anticipation we had for our first Dr's appointment... seems like it took forever to get there... and here we are now in our 3rd trimester!!

In other baby news - not  Dr. related.... the little one is having quite the time in my tummy. Some days I don't know if it every sleeps because it's moving non-stop. Gabe jokes that it's doing Zumba in there... so it might just pop out with a 6-pack!! I enjoy feeling it's calisthenics.... well, until a few days ago when it learned to use my ribs as punching bags. Getting up/down has become more of a chore. Gabe teases me when I'm constantly 'grunting' when getting up from the couch or bed. I've been trying to walk on cooler evenings (which seem few and far between). I've also been doing pilates and 'Mommy Yoga' when I can. I always feel great afterwards... but then there's that getting off the floor part, which is usually more difficult than the exercising!! :)

Well, who knew I could write a novel for such an un-interesting check up! If you're still here with me - THANK YOU! Ha ha! ;) Hope you are all well, and I think we're all looking forward to Fall and some cooler weather (except for you Aunt Belinda - lucky Seattle(er)!!).

Lots of Love & Well Wishes,

Tasha, Gabe, & McBaby