We had our last ultrasound on Tuesday.  I am happy to report that she is looking good and growing well!  It was actually a pretty fun appointment.  She is totally smashed in there, but we did get a look at her face, and she already has what appear to be chubby cheeks, and a lot of hair – according to the tech.  I know I mentioned the hair last time, but the tech got a good look at the front and back of the head and confirmed it.  Below are two shots of her face.  I am pointing to her puffy eye in the top one, and you can see a chubby cheek in the bottom picture.

Isn’t she sweet?  🙂  Based on her measurements, she is currently 6lbs 4oz, so she should be a nice, healthy weight by the time she decides to come out.  We also got to see her little lungs working on breathing – a good sign – so that was special.

Another exciting thing that happened Tuesday – a tour of the labor and delivery unit!  We met with a nurse, got registered, talked about a birth plan, and walked around the unit.  We saw a delivery room, a postpartum room, the NICU, (just in case)…and we got to watch a birth!  Okay – not that last part.  Can you imagine?  But seriously, I have to say, I was impressed.  I delivered Eli at this hospital before they built this unit, and it is SO different.  It seems like they have somewhat of a natural approach to things, yet you still have the comfort of delivering in a hospital, should something go wrong.  They are supportive of a natural birth, they are ALL about mom and baby bonding time, and they don’t even have a regular nursery because all of the babies stay with mom after birth, (as long as they are healthy).  Some moms might be a little bummed about that, and want to be able to send baby to the nursery so they can rest, but not me.  I never had the immediate bonding time with Eli, because he was in the NICU, so this time I REALLY hope to get that.  All fingers crossed we don’t need the NICU, but each baby has a private room, with a place for mom to sleep.  When Eli was there, it was just one big room, with all of the babies, and nowhere for mom or dad to stay…or even sit, really.  Huge improvement there.  Whether we need it or not, it’s nice to see that hospitals are making things more comfortable for the parents who are already dealing with so much.

Seeing her, and touring the hospital, definitely makes things a lot more real.  I finished setting up her room, got all of her clothes and things put away, I talk about her all the time…but it all sort of feels more like a dream most of the time.  She is always moving and definitely on my mind – but without her here, and so many unknowns, it’s hard to truly imagine how life will be.  It’s amazing how you can feel so incredibly excited, and terrified at the same time.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the baby’s room.  Simple, I know, but that is sort of our style.  Gold polka dots on walls that were already red, and some IKEA furniture – which I usually like putting together, but doing it eight months pregnant was a little…different.  The last picture was taken before I finished the walls.

Three more weeks until my due date.  Three. More. Weeks….