32 weeks with Olivia: NSTs and Baby Showers!

So. Things have been happening, and I have been too tired and lazy to blog about them. So this may be a long-winded one, but I promise, lots of pictures!

Let me start at the end of last week.

Friday: Seaweed gets another ultrasound

Last Friday, the day Seaweed turned 32 weeks, we had an ultrasound. The ultrasound came about in this way:

1. My doctor was out of the clinic early last week so I saw his partner who ordered my weekly NSTs, biophysical profiles, and ultrasound.
2. I scheduled these including said ultrasounds but was unsure if my own OB really wanted them. He told me the 30-week growth scan would be it for ultrasounds.
3. I spent last week messaging and calling his office for clarification.
4. I never got an answer.
5. I went to the ultrasound anyway rather than cancel it. Because, you know, I wanted to see my baby.

The tech said the ultrasound was part of the biophysical profile, which I didn’t understand at the time, but is due to my blood pressure and the BP meds I’m on. Apparently they can affect growth.

Anyway, here are some pictures of Seaweed, bigger, badder and fluffier cheeks than in her 30 week one:

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Long lost friend makes a surprise visit that day

My mom and sister came with me to the ultrasound appointment. Later in the day, I was to meet with my friend Devon for lunch because my first shower was Saturday and she was helping host. I walked into the clinic and saw her there and suddenly another girl stood up. Yeah. Remember my friend Celina, from Texas whom we stayed with during both my transfers in Houston? Here. In my clinic. Flew in to surprise me for my shower.

Shocked is how I felt. I couldn’t believe she was here, really here and ready to spend the whole weekend with me, host my baby shower, and see my sweet baby that day on ultrasound. It was unreal. Her and Devon and I went out to eat and then Celina and I spent the rest of the evening together. We talk every day, but to actually have her here, it was awesome.

Saturday: We all gather to celebrate Seaweed

And celebrate we did. My three friends convened at my house while Chris took me out for breakfast. They decorated, brought food, and just generally made my day amazing. I couldn’t believe how fast the time went. One moment I was greeting my sweet friends and then I was opening presents and then it was over. Seaweed is so loved already. We were blessed with a ton of diapers, adorable clothes, and—just so much stuff. I am overwhelmed.

The card from my sister, Seaweed’s auntie, while short and sweet, pretty much summed up the whole day:

Here are some pictures capturing the shower:

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Monday: NST and OB visit

I had my NST and doctor’s appointment. The baby was NOT impressed with the NST. I lay there on the table for 20 minutes and every time I felt her move I was supposed to click the button. Three times during it, she went rightously nuts and flipped out and I just started pressing the button like crazy. Apparently that’s normal though, and the doctor referred to it as her “playtimes.” Her heartbeat was perfect, the NST readings were perfect, and the only thing that was not perfect was that I was so hungry I wanted to eat the elastic band on the torture device strapped to my abdomen.

My doctor came in at the end and I asked him about the weekly ultrasounds I was told I’d have to have. Well, apparently yes, he does want me to have them and apologized for not making that clear as part of my weekly testing. He was lucky that he dangled the ultrasounds in my face like a Twinkie, because when he apologized, I said, “You had me at ultrasound. You had me at ultrasound.”

So continuing the tradition of milking my insurance for every single precious coverage penny, I will be going to TWO appointments every week until I deliver: a non-stress test with my weekly appointments, and an ultrasound.

This baby is so high maintenance.