37.5 Week Appt & Sonogram... + Papa

We had an exciting appointment yesterday, got to see an ultrasound of Chloe where they 1) confirmed yes she is a girl! said 2) everything looked great and she passed with flying colors 3) estimated her weight around 7 lbs!!! That is so hard to believe, I have a full size infant inside me. She is right on track for almost 38 weeks at that weight. We then did a non stress test where we got to listen to around 30 solid minutes of her heart rate, and that was exciting and fun, especially when it would speed up and get louder when I would laugh, move around, etc. My mom got to come too and meet one of my midwives which I know was really great for her. We got to see just a small glimpse of Chloe's face which was just a heavenly moment for me. It was hard to make out but what I saw was so beautiful.

While doing the non stress test, we called over to my Papa's house, and they put the phone up to his ear so he could hear Chloe's heart beat... I got to tell him I loved him over the phone, and we were all crying. It was a precious moment, and unfortunately the most contact he might get to have with his great grand child. Things have turned on a dime so fast, they are already to the "we are just trying to keep him pain free and comfortable"-stage. They moved him into his hospital bed in his room for the duration of his days... not sure how much longer that will be, but we aren't sure if he'll make it through the weekend. This is all so crazy... the timing of it, the emotion of it, the sadness and joy all at the same time. I seriously am all over the place. I feel good, then numb, then freaked out and panicky, then I just cry and cry while bouncing on an exercise ball trying to prepare for my first child's birth.

I'm sorry for all the emotions in this post. It is an intense intense month. That's all I can say!

At this stage, it's pretty tough to make out really what is going on via sonogram pics because the baby is big, but this is Chloe's face though, sort of turned towards you - can see her nose, mouth and forehead. And by her mouth is her hand.

Here is her body, ribcage, heart, and head.

37 Weeks

This - is crazy - to see.... I've been watching this little chart since the beginning. I can't believe I'm already so close to the end of it. And yet it seems so far away too....


Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard(SWISS WHAT???). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

See what your baby looks like this week.

Crazy crazy times.

Yes, I'm very uncomfortable... yes I'm still in pain, and yes I'm getting giddy and excited, and yes I'm terrified at the same time. And all this is happening, preparing for this new life... and my grandpa is declining pretty quickly. We thought he might have more time then he does. We are just waiting on the Lord, trying to spend time with him - he is encouraged when his family is near him. Chloe was conceived the week after my grandmother died. If this all goes together like it looks like it might with Papa... I seriously will not know what to think. Pray for him and my family. It is looking to be an insane month!