Growth Ultrasound

Your dad was off from work today because over a month ago we had scheduled your final growth ultrasound and we both wanted to be there to see you on the big screen.  During the pregnancy we went into Riverside every three to four weeks to have a growth ultrasound done and see how you were doing.  Your dad made sure he was at every appointment, because we both loved seeing you on the screen, seeing what you'd do, and of course, seeing your growth.   As a note, our last growth ultrasound was just 4 days before you were born and they predicted you to be 7 lbs 1 ounce - you also scored in the 97th percentile or above for your head and belly size.  When you arrived you had gained 10 ounces in those 4 days, you certainly were a growing boy!

However, you arrived early and so today's growth ultrasound was unnecessary.  Instead, we were up at 7:30 am to feed and spend the day together.  It was a rainy day but we had plenty to do inside.  Neither your dad nor I can get in enough time holding you and so most of the day was spent either holding you or looking at you.  This afternoon you were even awake to enjoy the activity play mats.  You continue to grow every day and change up your style a little more.  I'm enjoying finding out your little quirks and the way you like to do things/do not like to do things.  You especially make me laugh when I look down at you while you're feeding to coax you along for a little longer and you get this really big smile on you face.  I sometimes think you're just trying to test me to see if I've noticed you have not been feeding for a while.  You also are getting on a more regular schedule, especially at night.  You like to eat three times throughout the night - which is normally spaced out in 3 to 3.5 hour increments.  I'm sure this will completely change at some time in the future, but we are enjoying a few hours of sleep in between those feeding times now.

In the end, we are just counting our blessings with you and enjoying the fact that you are home with us.  We thought with how early you were that it might be a couple weeks until you came home and that would have been hard to bear.  However, you're home with us, doing really well, and we are all settling into our life as a family.  I think each day makes everything a little less surreal.  Your dad and I have stopped saying to each other, can you believe he's our son.  Instead we are loving every minute of hanging out with you and making sure we soak up every minute now, as we are certain in no time you will be going like crazy.

Here is a picture that basically sums up your comfortable poses.  You always love to stretch out in our arms and put those hands above your head.  We call it your beach pose (it's because of this that we've decided the money we've been saving for our next vacation will have to be to the beach - since you are ready to lay back and relax).