Huh??? 32 weeks??

Happy Friday all! Hopefully you've enjoyed a quick week-and if not...TGIF!  

Yesterday was our regularly scheduled 2 week Dr appt along with an ultrasound to see how Mr. Jaxon has been growing.  And what we found out is that the boy is definitely growing! (this is where it gets a little confusing, so I'll try my best to clear it up--however I was probably the most confused, so no promises!)

The ultrasound tech takes measurements of Jaxon's major body parts (head, belly, legs...) and the average of those measurements give us a rough estimate of His development and fetal age. (which is different than the gestational age, which is how long I've been pregnant.)  The last time we visited Jax, he was measuring about 3 weeks ahead of the pregnancy (when I was 24 weeks and he jumped to 27 weeks)  He continued the growing trend this time as well.  While I am still stuck back at 28 weeks pregnant--our guy is measuring at 32 weeks in development-measuring at 19 inches and weighing 4lbs! (and his head alone measured at 34 weeks!!! Thank you Simmons' for that one!)  This all to say that he is about a month ahead of schedule growth wise and our midwife is expecting a BIG baby.  She does not want to change my actual due date (I know... there have been soo many) from the 30th of March because the first ultrasound (at 8 weeks) is by far the most accurate as far as pregnancy length and fetal age at that point.  As we get farther along, babies-like "real people"-grow at different rates. (margin of error is about +/- 5 ounces right now.)  

So the plan of action is:  We will keep monitoring his growth with yet another ultrasound (how lucky are we that we get to take so many peaks at our boy before meeting him) to determine if his growth rate will continue or if it is just a spurt.  More than likely he will continue on this pattern.  If that is the case, I will then be induced once I hit term.  Term pregnancy is considered anywhere from 37-40 weeks.  The reason for induction at 37 weeks is that first of all--he will be smaller in size for a natural delivery and the rates of shoulder dystocia (where they get stuck) and breathing problems go up when babies are bigger and get to marinate longer.  Induction will be the safer route for the both of us.  If March 30 is considered "term" or 40 weeks- then we can expect that Jaxon will make his arrival sometime in the first half of March (around the 9th).  That's a whole lot sooner than it sounds!!

I've added some of the great close ups we got of Jax this time around--he IS his father's (ok and mother's) son and Loves to mug it up for the camera! The tech kept commenting on how much he likes his picture to be taken..=)  Hopefully the pictures are much more clear thanks to a wonderful Christmas gift-new computer and scanner! (thanks Bob and Kelly) Enjoy!!!

much love,

Justin, Robin, and Jaxon (aka The Beast!)

Got Wrinkles?

Here we are in week 30...with only 10 weeks (or so) to go! I can't believe that things have gone by so quickly-and that there is so very little time left until we all get to meet this little man!  Just thinking about it leaves me speechless...(hard to imagine me speechless...I know)

During this week-our guy has grown to anywhere between 15.7 and 17 inches long!  This puts his height within 3-4 inches of his final length! Not much more to go baby!  He should be weighing in at somewhere near the 3 pound mark (the book says like a head of cabbage...but really...thats a whole lotta cabbage!)  He is swimming in about a pint and a half of amniotic fluid which will continue to decrease as Jax continues to grow and take up more room.  His eye sight, which will continue to develop after birth, allows him to be sensitive to light-and even though he is able to open his eyes now, he spends most of his time with them closed (just like after birth).  Jaxon's first view of the world will be a blurry one, with his vision only registering objects within a few inches of his face (20/400 vision).  The big growth this week is happening in the boys brain.  This week it begins to "look like" a brain.  The brain begins taking on the characteristic grooves and wrinkles of a mature brain.  These wrinkles are what allow for future expansion of brain tissue as he continues to hit milestones.  These grooves and wrinkles also allow his brain to start taking on tasks that have been delegated to other parts of the body.  Among other things, Jaxon is now able to regulate his own temperature-along with the help of the baby fat supply he's working on.  As a result, he'll begin shedding the lanugo(fine downy hair) that has been aiding in keeping body temperatures up.

Dr's Updates- We were finally able to nail down a pediatrician this week.  A task that was much more difficult than I had anticipated.  We won't get a chance to meet face to face with Dr. Jones until Jax's delivery (which I've found to be standard practice now...) but I've heard great things about him.  

We also are now on a 2 week schedule with the midwife until 36 weeks...at which time we'll begin our weekly appointments.  I am way done with doctors appointments!  Our next appointment has an ultrasound attached to it--yay! More pics!!  Our midwife wants to keep a close eye on his growth as she thinks that he may be a much bigger baby than expected (and I had hoped--ouch)  By keeping an eye on his size, she will be able to ensure that I won't be delivering a 10lb baby (thankful for that!)  

We will keep you posted!

Much love,

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

Welcome to the Third Trimester!! weeks 28 & 29

Since I am a little late getting out this week's blog (seriously time for a new computer...gggrrr) and I know that next week is going to be full of Holiday festivities-I've decided to double up our information. Here we go...
Week 28- Research says that our guy is anywhere between 14 1/2 inches and 16 inches long! He should be weighing in at approximately 2 1/4- 2 1/2 pounds. However, since he was 2 lbs 6 ounces at the last ultrasound--I'm pretty sure he's over the half pound mark (yikes) His blinking little eyelids are now open and covered with eyelashes! As a result of his functional oculars-he is more sensitive to drastic light changes. For instance, he may be able to tell the difference if I am in a bright room-naked bellied- as opposed to with a shirt covering or a dark room. ***Justin and I did test this out the other night with a flash light on the belly--he gave some pretty serious kicks and then we stopped cause we felt guilty blinding our child ;)*** This week, the Buddy Boy also starts getting some quality zzz's, with the REM sleep he's now getting. (dreaming in-utero!) Most importantly, his lungs are near full maturity! (insert deep SIGH of relief here!)
Week 29- This week the boy is about 15-17 inches tall and is tipping the scales at 2 1/2-3 lbs! (note: they've stopped comparing to fruit...we're talking tri-tip now! kidding) He is about 3 or so inches away from his final birth length but still has much more weight to gain (ugh...) In the next 11 weeks he may double or triple his current weight. (seriously?? no room at the inn!) This weight gain will also take an astronomical amount of my calcium to deposit into this little boy's bones--a whopping 250 milligrams a day! As he's marinating and plumping up, Jaxon will continue to practice his life skills-sucking, muscle coordination, breathing etc. And the scariest fact of the week; His head continues to grow this week to accommodate his expanding brain! I can't even comment further on this occurrence.... :0
We are looking forward to our week of family fun and seeing all of you! And if we aren't lucky enough to see you face to face between now and then...
Merry Christmas!
much love,
Justin, Robin and Jaxon

These doors are CLOSED!

We just got back from the perinatologists (one of the most atrocious places ever...) and got the good news that there is no opening here! I've gotten the go ahead from the Dr that I can go back to my life--with a strong caution to be careful and not wear myself out. I will go back to my regularly scheduled appts unless my contractions increase in either severity or frequency.
Thank you all for the prayers, love and positive thoughts you were sending in our direction--I know they made a difference!
much love,
Justin, Robin and Jaxon

baby stuff...

So I figured I'd put this whole "modified bed rest" to good use and am working on finishing up the baby registries (just in case any of you are itching to start making purchases like I am) We registered at both Babys R Us and Target-under both of our names...Generally speaking, we've added things that we've found online--but keep checking in--cause the more I'm allowed out of the house...the more I'd imagine Jaxon's wish list will grow!
The next update will be Tuesday night (aka...the DAY of the Doctors)
much love
Justin, Robin and Jax

Are you ready for this one???

Yesterday was the diagnostic ultrasound in which they take measurements of Jaxon's appendages, head and belly to better gage his growth...and boy has been growing! We walking into the office at 24 weeks 2 days and walked out of there at 27 weeks 2 days!!! That's right--our due date has been moved up to the 10th of March. Yikes!! that's less than 13 weeks away! So here is where he is at 27 weeks...

According to the ultrasound, our guy weighs 2lbs 6 ounces (a little bigger than the books average). He is about 14 1/2 inches long! He has developed a definite sleeping pattern-sleeping and waking at varying intervals. On the ultrasound I was able to see him yawning, searching for his hands, stretching and at one point he stretched his little legs up straight and wiggled his toes against his forehead!!! He is positioned head down, sunnyside up with toes either pointing down or curling up fetal style. His lungs are still immature, but are capable of functioning now with a lot of medical help. Which brings me to the next...

Let me start with--we are ok. Now for the story...on the ultrasound the tech detected some opening of the cervix (probably TMI...sorry). Because of this and other factors...they then did a physical exam and a fetal fibronectin test to determine if I was in preterm labor. I was sent to the hospital (which is quiet nice by the way-my first time there) for further monitoring. After about an 1 1/2 and 2 contractions, they let me go home with orders to return this morning. I returned to the hospital this morning for another NST (non-stress test...yeah right!) and didn't contract while I was there...yay! So I am now on modified bedrest and they have taken me off work until Tuesday when I will go Back to the hospital for yet another but hopefully the last NST and then to a perinatologist. There I will have another ultrasound to see if that expert agrees with my tech on the opening issue. So at this point we are in a waiting game till Tuesday. Best case scenario-the perinatologist doesn't see the same things and clears me back to normal life. Worse case involves bedrest and more medical interventions. I have been assured by all medical staff that Jaxon is just fine and is showing no signs that he has any idea what's going on out here.

So everyone think positive thoughts and I'm sure we'll be just fine!

here are some new Jaxon pics to enjoy---the tech kept commenting on how much he seems to love his picture being taken! Such a ham...wonder where that came from??

Much love to you all

Justin, Robin and Jaxon

22 & 23--spaghetti squash and mangos...

YAY! I am connected again! With the packing, cleaning, moving and unpacking...I haven't been motivated to check my Internet connection--but things are finally settling into Normal again and I'm back!! here's what you've missed in the past two weeks...
22-This week Jax finally resembles a (miniature) newborn baby! All of his exterior parts are intact and the the correct positions. His lips, eyelids and eyebrows are more distinct. His eyes have formed but still lack any color or pigmentation in the iris (the colored part). Tiny tooth buds are forming in his gums. Inside, his pancreas (essential for certain hormone production) is steadily developing. His body is covered with a fine hair (lanugo) and he is sporting some pretty deep wrinkles all over! These will disappear as he starts packing on the ounces. This week he measured 11 inches in length and 1 pound in weight! (about the length of a spaghetti squash)
23- Jaxon is able to feel and responds to my movements this week. Meaning he can feel me dance, walk, sway, etc. His ears and hearing are becoming increasingly keen--he is able to hear loud noises and is becoming accustomed to them (vacuum, dogs barking, my voice,). These are noises that will probably not phase him when he's on the outside because of the early exposure to them now (thank god cause we all know how much my dogs bark!) Blood vessels in the lungs are continuing to develop and mature getting Jax ready for his first breath. By the end of the week the boy will measure over 11 inches and weigh more than a pound (about as much as a large mango).
His growth in the past couple of weeks has made a huge difference in my knowledge of his activity level! I can SEE(if i can contain my giggles) him move through my clothing--which is crazy, weird and absolutely amazing!
We have an ultrasound scheduled for next Thursday. This is the measurement picture, where the doctor is most concerned about checking out his growth and development thus far. So look for new pics of our guy next week!
Much love,
Justin, Robin and Jaxon