Welcome Sophia Terese

As many of you have already heard, our daughter finally joined us in the outside world on Thursday night. We would like to send out a resounding thank you to all of you who have sent your well wishes either in person or via this wonderful modern technology we have. As always, our family and friends have overwhelmed us with their amazing love and generosity. We must say, we agree with all of you that Sophia is absolutely beautiful and we love the hair, too!

We are going to try our hardest to keep up with the posts still. We have been wearing out both the camera and camcorder, and love to share all the photos. She changes every day, and we want to make sure that anyone who wants to follow along with changes can no matter where they might be.

Once again, thank you to all for sharing in the joy of this most amazing blessing with us.

14th Doctor Appointment

Had to head back to the doctor again tonight officially past our due date. They assured us that you don't stay pregnant forever and the baby will have to come out sometime. They performed a Fetal Non-Stress Test. The result was the baby seems to be very comfortable in there still. So, now we have to figure out how to get the baby uncomfortable and to want to come out. If nothing happens by the end of the weekend, we go in for another check-up on Monday. Hopefully that doesn't happen and we don't have to visit that office for another 6 weeks. Well, off to eat some spicy food, do some jumping jacks, take a long walk, and any other old wives' tale that starts labor! :)

Week 40

We've finally hit the week 40 milestone, and Baby should be making its way out any day now! We have what will hopefully be our last prenatal visit tomorrow. Below is the latest description of what's going on with the baby right now - this one doesn't have any really cool facts like previous weeks, but contains lots of truth. The beautiful weather the past couple days has definitely allowed us to get out and do the walking with big sister, Daisy!

Congratulations - your baby is now fully formed and ready to be born. If your due date passes, your doctor will check to see if the baby has enough amniotic fluid. If he's fine, you and your doctor may still want to discuss induction.

Don’t be surprised if you get discouraged now. Relatives may be calling regularly to find out if labor has started. Ignore them and make plans every day - see a movie, take a walk, read or simply lounge around at home. Relish this peaceful time while it lasts!

Shower Pictures

We were going through our blog posts last night, and realized we never posted the links to our baby shower photos. There are just too many different computer accounts to keep up to date! :) So, if you haven't already seen the pictures on Facebook, enjoy! Oh, and don't forget to check out the pics from Nick's "Daddy Diaper Party" at Hooters. It was like a baby shower, but for dudes!

http://picasaweb.google.com/npmetros/BabyShower11610#

http://picasaweb.google.com/npmetros/BabyShower13010#

http://picasaweb.google.com/npmetros/BabyShower21310#

http://picasaweb.google.com/npmetros/DaddyDiaperParty#

13th Doctor Visit

We had our 13th visit to the doctor on Thursday and the result was (drumroll please)...We're still pregnant! :) By all the attention we've been getting, we can tell everyone is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Baby Metros, but it seems he/she is content to hang out in Mom's belly until our due date or beyond. Mom is still feeling pretty good, so I guess the little one can hang out in there a little longer, no need to hurry it along. Just don't get too comfortable sweet child.

Otherwise, everything else was pretty normal. Baby's heart beat was 140bpm, tummy measured 40cm, and 0lb weight gain from last week. The doctor did say if we make it to our appointment next Thursday, she will perform a Fetal Stress Test. This is normal protocol once you go past your due date to make sure the baby isn't getting too cramped.

Make sure to check back often for any updates!

12th Doctor Visit

We would like to let everyone know, yes, I'm still pregnant and don't worry...we'll let you know when anything happens! :-) We've received many correspondences from much concerned and well meaning family members and friends and everyone can rest assured that we will not keep this event a secret...everyone will know!

We had our 12th Dr. visit tonight and there is nothing new to report. Mom's belly is still measuring at 38cm and everything is business as usual. We were also informed that we will not be allowed to go past our due date any further than March 27th, which is 10 days past so let's send the prayers up asking God to please let us go on our own before then! Although we are certain that this little boy or girl will come when he or she is good and ready and at the perfect time. All around same 'ol same and just preparing for our little miracle in these last few days!

Here's what's happening this week!

You're in the home stretch! After nine months of growth and development, your baby is ready to be born, or nearly so. At week 39, your baby is fully developed and anywhere from 17-23 inches long and weighs 6-10 pounds. Don't be frightened if your OB-GYN says your baby is large: It's extremely difficult to judge a baby's weight accurately from the outside. Your baby is adding neural connections and growing hair and still gaining weight. Researchers have theorized that when babies are ready to be born, they send a chemical signal of androgens to the placenta, which increases the production of estrogen and leads to labor. If so, it's proof of the old saying that "only a baby knows when it's ready to be born."

Baby Brain!

So, many of you have heard us talk about Priscilla's terrible memory ever since she became pregnant...our books kindly refer to this as "baby brain!" So, today she was down in the basement bringing up her carry-on to pack her hospital bag and stumbled upon a pair of shoes she had hid back in October for her wonderful husband's birthday...she hid them so well she even forgot about them! :-) We got a good laugh out of it and thought it'd be a fun story to share!

11th Doctor Visit

We had our 11th doctor visit this past Thursday. Not much new to report, which is never a bad thing...another "normal" visit means everything is going exactly as it should! Mom's weight is still playing nice holding fast at 15 pounds weight gain...must be all that activity she is still getting in...God bless prenatal water aerobics and yoga! Mom's belly measured at 38cm and the baby's heartbeat was in the 130s. Our "What to expect book" says this is pretty normal for the baby's heartbeat to slow down towards the end of the pregnancy...not much room in there anymore! Mom is still feeling great but just a bit s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d! Our due date is "officially" 2 weeks from today!!

Here's what is happening at 38 weeks....

The average newborn has a length of 21 1/2 inches and weighs 7 1/2 pounds. She is fully developed, though still adding connections between neurons in the brain (this continues well after birth). Her nails have been growing and now reach to the ends of her fingers and toes. Her movements are quite restricted by her close quarters.