Long and Lean

Well, went back to the MFM specialist again today. Little girl is growing well. She weighs 5lbs 8oz. She's moved up in overall growth from being two weeks behind to only being one. This is largely because her legs have grown soooo much! Her legs are in the 84th percentile for length. Obviously she's gonna have to hunt for the long inseam pants just like her momma! 

It was much harder to see things on this ultrasound. The doctor said this is normal. By 36 weeks they are taking up so much room, there are shadows everywhere you look. We did see her lesion again. It didn't look as big and scary this time. I said to the ultrasound tech, "I know this might sound weird but can I have a picture of the lesion? Its my way of prepping for what I'll see delivery day." "Yep, that sounds weird alright!" she smiled, but gave me the pic. I guess to somebody who hasn't had to deal with this it would sound a bit macabre, but I make no apology. The pics she gave me were also  shadowy, but I can see its outline and it's not as scary as my fear-drenched memories of the moments I saw it last time. So there's that. We had a different doc this time. He said he *might* see some excess fluid in her third vent, but it was nothing major if it was there. So, the fact that her brain is still hydro free is smile-worthy.

Before the doc came in, I asked the tech to see if she could get a shot of Evangeline's feet. It took some doing because of how she lays. (A creature of habit is my little girl; she has two favorite positions and I can tell when she shifts from one to the other. My whole stomach changes shape, and it makes me laugh when I'm not yelling "ouch!".) So anyway, we saw her legs and feet briefly. I fixated on her ankles hoping to see them tap. You know, for old times sake. ;) They didn't. But the toes on one foot flexed for me.  Bj called it out first. "She curled her toes!" Better than ankle movement really. I wish that I could see it again. I would re-play it a hundred times a day.  Easy.

I know, I know.....things like that in utero don't predict diddly. But I'm at the point where I say, "Let me pretend I don't know that. Let me have that moment!"  And so I'll keep it. Tiny toes of hope.

Turns out they want to see me again before "the big day" too. I asked nicely and they have scheduled me for the same day as my final OB apt. Next Friday. So my day will begin at 8:15 there before traveling down to to see my OB. Then I have some errands to run with Mom and it will be a long day but a satisfying one. A day to put an end to these infernal weekly pilgrimages to the hospital. Now, don't laugh at me when I say that. I am aware that after she's born the pilgrimages will be daily for a while. But like I said before, I'll keep my little victories, and however brief a moment, I will stand on the battlefield glad! But when the time comes to wage war again, I know right where I left my sword.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. " Hebrews 4:12