I wasn't sure if this was something I wanted to do. Actually, I had already decided I didn't want to do them and backed out of having my sweet cousin shoot a few pictures of us. I was struggling with "oh, I am going to look so fat and hate the pictures" and "I'll regret not doing this in the long run."
I came across a sorority sister who does photography on the side that I wanted to do Makenna's newborn pictures. We got to talking and she offered to create a "maternity and newborn" package for us. Scott and I talked about and decided to do it. I am SO glad I did. She did a fabulous job. You can check out her work at www.thephotobakery.net! It was so much fun to see her again and have her be apart of this special time. Thanks so much Madison!
Here are a few that are my favorites:
Wow. Time has FLOWN by. I am 35 weeks and 2 days today. I haven't updated in awhile because of the busyness of life. Working, preparing for the holidays, and of course Makenna's arrival have taken over our lives. I will try to recap the past few weeks.
28 week appt: At our 28 week appoint we got a bit of shocking news. Makenna was measuring in the 13th percentile for weight. Our doctor felt that it was important we go see a specialist to check things out. Our appt with our doctor was on a Thursday and the appointment with the specialist was on Monday. It was a rough 3 days between but our faith in God and prayers from close friends and family was our comfort. We knew now matter what was wrong we were going to love this baby girl, as we already do! Monday rolled around and we had our appointment with the specialist. She conducted a sonogram and concluded that Makenna was small BUT nothing major. By her sonogram she was in the 30th percentile. THANK YOU JESUS. Our first question was why the discrepancy between the 2 percentages. It was explained to us that the specialist has higher quality equipment and a PhD in reading sonograms. We were very thankful for this and praised our Lord for such good results. He is always faithful.
30 week appt: Throughout this pregnancy I have been seeing different doctors within this practice. At first I didn't believe it would bother me. Well it has. I saw a new doctor this appointment and she was not my favorite. She measured my stomach and stopped to look at me. Out of her mouth comes "has anyone told you you are measuring behind?" I wanted to SCREAM. Yes lady, if you would look at my records you would see this has been an issue. I left that appointment very frustrated because the doctor I was trusting to care for me and my sweet baby girl didn't even take the time to look at my records before I walked in the room. At 30 weeks I was measuring at 27 weeks. Again, I left an appointment discouraged even though I knew the specialist wasn't concerned.
Tuesday before Thanksgiving: It was the last day of work before the Thanksgiving holiday. I woke up not feeling so well but didn't think anything of it. I was a bit nauseous and light headed. I drank a bottle of water thinking maybe that would help. As the day progressed I just felt worse and worse. My nausea turned to cramps. After dealing with that for 2 hours I finally called the doctor because I knew something wasn't right. After describing my symptoms they sent me to L&D. Scott picked me up at work and drove me to Triage. This was an experience I was for unsure of. After 4 hours in Triage the doctor concluded I was having "pre-term contractions" 3-4 minutes apart. They were not causing me to dilate, thank goodness! I was hooked up to an IV to stop them and sent on my way. It was my first time having an IV (that I can remember) Scott did SO good and was able to calm my nerves. I now know what to expect when true labor arrives. :)
32 week appt: The day after my L&D experience I saw a different doctor at a different office. By this point I knew I could not go back to the same office I had been seen at up to this point. The group that I am with has an office in N. Arlington which has a very good reputation. The doctor I saw was alright. Not very friendly but knew her stuff. She was aware that I was in L&D the night before and was prompt to answer our questions...well sort of. We have noticed a lot of times they are vague with their information as if we don't need to know too much. Well if you know Scott and I you know we want all the details. We got the fabulous news that I measuring on track. First time the whole pregnancy. That gave us encouragement that baby girl was growing fast.
2nd appt with the specialist: I had a 2nd appt with Dr. Burton, our specialist the following week. (33 weeks) We had a sonogram and got even better news. Makenna weighed 5lbs and was in the 46th percentile. Dr. Burton was very pleased with the progress. She released us from seeing her because she had no concern at all out with precious girl. This was the best news we could have received. Scott, my mom, and mother-in-law were both there. It was such a neat time for us all to hear after all of this "worry" our sweet angel is doing just fine.
34 week appt: I had been recommend to Dr. Gardow, a new female doctor at the N. office. I was anxious to meet her. I arrived at my appt and had to sit and wait a good 30 minutes becasue she was the only doctor in the office that Friday. Let me tell you the wait was well worth it. She walked in, pulled up a stool, and SAT DOWN TO TALK TO ME. This was the FIRST time that any of the doctors took the time to carry on a conversation with me. It meant the world to me. Scott was not able to attend this appt. so her and I just had a little girl talk. I ended up venting to her about my past experience with the other office and their staff. She was very apologetic and wanted to do something about. WOW, someone does care about my feelings and how this experience goes. After our "counseling session" (LOL) she checked out Makenna's HB which was strong, as usual and measured my fundal height. I was a week off again but she said it was nothing at all to worry about especially with the good report we had from Dr. Burton. I left that office feeling better about the pregnancy and that I was in good hands. It is sad to say that it took 34 weeks to find that.
Again, this is a lot of information shoved into a summary. It has been a crazy few months but we are so blessed by God's love and faithfulness to us. We have an amazing support group of family and friends who pray for us and with us daily. We are beyond excited about the arrival of Makenna. It is only 4 and half weeks away that she is due so we are aware that it could be anytime now. My prayer is that she waits until at least 37 weeks and then our little girl can meet the world.
