So we had an ultrasound today to confirm that Nia was growing well. She was a little uncooperative when the tech needed her to turn over, but we got a good view of her head and body circumference, her limbs looked good, and there's plenty of fluid in her temporary home.
Eric and I were of course enjoying seeing her profile with the heart beat and subtle movements but then there were the angles that got her face forward. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a detailed portrait (as you can see) but we could see her closed eyes and the contour of her nose and lips. Seeing my daughter's face for the first time totally blew me away. I knew that we had chosen the right name for her then, as she is my purpose from now on. -M
Just as I thought things couldn't be going better, the side sleeping I'm absolutely not used to took a toll on my right hip. On Thursday morning I could barely walk. In desperation, Eric and I got online looking for somewhere to get a prenatal massage, which the midwife had suggested at our last visit. We found the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing, and they were able to see me the same day. A woman named Lili performed no less than a miracle. I was walking without pain for a good few hours and even when it started to bother a little later, it is still so much better. Thanks Lili, I'll be back.
Otherwise, all is good. Nia is still a little night owl. Hopefully we'll be able to switch that up after she arrives. Stay tuned for the latest ultrasound from today. -M
Melissa and I just got back from an apointment at the Midwife center and everything is looking great. At one point in the exam the midwife said "nice boots" to Melissa an of course I heard "nice boobs". In my defence during the pregnancy they have grown nicely so I would compliment them as well. Nia's heartbeat is about 144, or as I like to say she's at maximum trance tempo.
Nia is pretty much doing Tae-Bo routines all the time and seems to be tickling Melissas ribs but the midwife said that because of Melissas excellent abs that Nia was laying higher and that explains it.
It is actually a pretty exciting time baby-wise. One of my best buds Geoffe in Brooklyn and his wife Allison are pregnant and due in August as is my sister Stacey and one of Melissa's friends is due in May as well. I highly recommend it!
OK that was a bad reference to the song "Sweet Melissa" but I'm cheesy sometimes. Now that it's counting down to May 25th Melissa is really starting to show. All I can say is she's handling it all so well. The picture above was a few weeks ago and although shes not in her third trimester yet she looks amazing. Knock on wood everything is going as planned. Nia seems to be planning her escape and is bouncing around more and more everyday. It's to the point you can see her pushing if you look at Melissa's belly. -E
On Sunday Melissa and I were watching an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition and in this episode the father had died and the little girl was crying and she looked like our daughter Gillian and it made me realize how much I missed my step-father Ernie. He was a great man and it breaks my heart that he is not around to see his grandchildren, at least not physically because I am sure he's out there somewhere watching. He never got to meet his granddaughter Mia from his son Andy, and Nia is coming soon as well as his new grandchild from his daughter Stacey and I can imagine he would have been ecstatic with all these grand kids, especially 3 babies all within a year of each other.
He adored Gillian and I am glad I have bunches of pictures of the two of them. He was a giant next to her, when Gillian would step in his shoes it was like a normal person stepping on a snowboard. To see such a large presence handling something so fragile when she was a baby was amazing. One of the last trips before he passed away was to the zoo with Gillian and Grandma Wilkoff and I will never forget that day. -E
So I was spinning at the Puma Store this past weekend and couldn't resist these new baby hi-top First Round's in a size 5 (coincidentally the same size as the other hi-tops).
Is there a 12 step program for this? Somebody stop me... I am addicted to Puma shoes. Fortunately when you spin there you get free stuff or I don't know what I would do.
As expected, the little one is practicing her ultimate fighting skills in Melissa's belly. She's a pretty active little girl. What's funny, is we do the doppler almost daily just to hear the heartbeat, and every time we do, Nia pretty much punches or kicks wherever we push the doppler. She seems to be more awake during the night, something we're going to have to retrain her with.
On Saturday January 31st we had out first baby shower for Nia, thrown by Jamie and Sarah. It was great and everything was perfect. Thank you to everyone who helped put this together and donated food, decorations and the space and everyone who shared this special day with us. We got lots of special gifts and gift cards and even some new Pumas for Nia (now she has 4 pairs)! -E
We (Melissa and Eric) would like to welcome you to our baby blog for Nia (formerly Buddy). Nia is due May 25, 2009. We will chronicle this journey and all the things happening with us for all to share.
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