Today was Colin's due date.  We have gotten to spend the past 9 days with him so it's hard to imagine still being pregnant and still referring to the baby as "Chocolate Chip." Gavin and Elsie are doing really well.  Elsie has had very few meltdowns about wanting me to

Colin was born at 38 weeks + 5 days.  But we took a 39 week bump photo for comparison.  It's amazing what can change from one week to the next! 38 Weeks39 WeeksWhat a difference a week makes!

At discharge, Colin's weight was down a little bit from his birthweight (as expected) and he was a bit jaundiced.  So we had a follow-up pediatrician appointment scheduled for Sunday morning at the Walnut Creek pediatric office. We stopped for some lunch and brought Colin home to a quiet house.

Tuesday morning, at 38+4, I had my routine 38-week OB appointment.  Dr. Gabel checked my cervix and said I was dilated 3 cm and 70% effaced (which was not much progress from my 36 week appointment where I had been 3 cm and 50% effaced).  She said she would

This morning I had an appointment with Dr. Gabel.  After failing the NST last week, going downtown for another NST on Sunday evening, and feeling more cramping, we were anxious to hear if things had progressed and to set an induction date for the 39th week.  Eric came along to

This weeek the baby is the size of a winter melon or a mini watermelon.  Chocolate Chip is measuring around 19.5 inches and as much as 6.5-7 pounds!  The size of a real-life newborn baby! At 38 weeks, the baby is shedding the vernix and lanugo that was

Today I saw someone I have never seen before - Kristen Little, ARNP.  This appointment time was the best for my schedule, as it is the week of parent-teacher conferences, and I didn't really care which practitioner my appointment was scheduled with.  Next week I will see Dr. Gabel and

Only three weeks to go and Chocolate Chip is the size of romaine lettuce or a canary melon - whatever that is.  The baby is approximately 19 inches in length and a bit over 6 pounds.  Our ultrasound estimated Chocolate Chip to be around 6 pounds 7 ounces. The baby

At my last appointment, Dr. Gabel said we should do an ultrasound at my next appointment to check on the baby's growth and fluid.  So we scheduled it to be after my weekly OB appointment.  At the appointment with Dr. Bedia we talked about current hospital Covid policies (he wasn't

This week the baby is the size of a papaya or a bunch of kale.  Somehow those seems smaller than a pineapple, but I guess not...  He or she is likely 18.5-19 inches and 5.5-6 pounds.  These last few weeks are mostly for gaining weight, so that will

Today I saw Dr. Gable for another routine OB appointment.  The entire appointment lasted approximately 4 minutes.  My blood pressure was as low as usual, I gained one pound in the last two weeks, and the baby's heart rate was in the 130s. I told her that I've been having

This week, Chocolate Chip is the size of a pineapple or a spaghetti squash (18+ inches and 5.25 pounds).  The baby's growth from here on out is mostly fat.  He or she is head-down and likely pressing on my bladder.  I think this baby is also putting a little

This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a butternut squash or a pineapple.  He or she is coming close to 18 inches in length and 5 pounds in weight.  The baby's fingernails and toenails are growing in, the eyes are open when the baby is awake and closed when

This week the baby is the size of a butternut squash, or celery.  That means he or she is approximately 17 inches long and weighing about 4.5 pounds.  This week, the baby could grow a full inch, and will start gaining close to half a pound each week.  Chocolate

This appointment was rescheduled from last week because Dr. Gable was out of the office for my originally-scheduled appointment time.  Today I saw Dr. Mintzer for the first time during this pregnancy.  He is the doctor that delivered Elsie! My blood pressure was good (low as usual), my weight has

This week, Gavin and I tested positive for Covid.  So Gavin, Elsie, and I have been home all week quarantining.  Much of the week was spent playing, feeding kids, and resting when possible.  But I also spent a little time packing my hospital bag and making a list of things

Pregnancy is tracked in weeks, but I am now considered 8 months pregnant!  This week Chocolate Chip is the size of a squash or a cantaloupe.  😮    He or she is between 16-17 inches long and just under 4 pounds.  At this point, all of the baby's major organs are developed,

Well, it finally came for us.  We avoided this plague for a long time, but we knew our days were numbered.  I started feeling symptoms over the long weekend, and scheduled a test for the afternoon on MLK Jr. Day, to be sure that I didn't have Covid before returning

This week the baby is the size of asparagus or a cocount.  Asparagus seems longer, but a coconut seems like the right shape.  Either way, Chocolate Chip is probably 16 inches long and a little over 3 pounds in weight.  The baby is busy making more brain connections, is starting

We're in the 30s!  Only 10 weeks to go. This week the baby is the size of a zucchini (16 inches and 3 pounds!).  It seems like once we get into the 30s I worry less and less about a premature baby.  I know that a baby born at 30

Since I delayed my 12-week appointment a bit due to it falling right at the beginning of the school year, I have been a little bit "off" of the traditional 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 week appointments.  So I went today, at 29+6.  Now that I'm in the

Well, I've officially been in the third trimester for a full week and not much has changed (which seems like a good thing!).  I have been counting kicks each evening between 8:00 and 9:00 and this baby is definitely a mover.  It has yet to take more than

We are officially in the third trimester!  Something about reaching this point gives me a sense of relief and a sense of panic at the same time.  I know that our baby is gaining strength and the ability to survive outside the womb (yay!), but I also know that in

This week Chocolate Chip is the size of lettuce or cabbage - about 14.5 inches long and 2 pounds in weight.  I'm starting to feel the weight in the front, so I believe it!  The baby is practicing inhaling and exhaling and his or her brain is showing activity.

This week the baby is the size of kale or an acorn squash - take your pick.  Either way, Chocolate Chip is likely 14 inches long (already!) and about 2 pounds in weight.  His or her eyelashes are growing in, as are teeny tiny fingernails.  The baby is continuing to