Well, here we are with FIVE weeks until my due date (December 5th)! On October 22nd, Mike and I went to one of my regular check ups and then to a growth ultrasound. We learned that the baby is measuring 2 weeks ahead. At the ultrasound, the technician told us the baby was approximately 6 lbs, 6 oz. Whoa! That was with six more weeks still to go. I said, “Well, these estimates can be wildly off, right?” To which she replied, “Those cheeks don’t lie.” Ha! See for yourself:

Mike and I both decided it had a ‘Betancourt nose’ and looked like it was trying to whistle. And doesn’t that little hand already look chubby?!?

This little one was quite busy chewing on his/her hand during the photo shoot. Literally trying to shove the entire thing in its mouth. I think it will take after Big Sister Caroline in the eating department! We also learned that this baby already has long hair 🙂

The doctor had me repeat my gestational diabetes test, which thankfully I passed. They also have me doing non-stress tests and are monitoring my amniotic fluid levels. We are lucky to have such great prenatal care and I am especially grateful for wonderful insurance–not to mention a flexible work schedule that doesn’t bat an eye at all of these appointments. From now to delivery, I will go once a week for a check up, non-stress test, and amniotic fluid level check.

We scheduled another ultrasound for November 6th and we will see how this (not so) little one is progressing!

Random tidbits about this pregnancy:

• I LOVE eating ice. Love, love, love. I read that this is commonly associated with low iron, which I also have. But I will drive out of my way to a Chick-Fil-A because they have the best pellet ice in all the land and it is delightful. I make Mike crazy with all my ice eating.
• I have gained about 30 pounds already, which is already 4 more than the total I gained with Caroline. And since my body is just wider, everything is tighter.
• I have the same typical pregnancy symptoms as I did with Caroline: swollen ankles, having to go to the bathroom often, etc., but I do feel like my muscles are more stiff than before. The baby moves around about as much as Caroline did. All in all, I would say the pregnancies are remarkable similar.
• This baby is resting very low. As in, on my pelvic bone. I read stories about babies kicking ribs or making it hard for the mama to breathe and this baby is nowhere close to being that high up to doing those things.
• Most people are still guessing boy, like they did overwhelmingly with Caroline.
• Caroline will tell you YES if you ask if she’s getting a sister. Or a brother. Or, for that matter, a squirrel. So we have that as a predictor.
• My favorite question to ask Caroline is “What’s in mommy’s belly?” Because she will answer “Baby!” and pat my belly. It melts my heart every time.

Mike saw me roll (literally, roll) out of bed this morning and said, with a worried look on his face, “I think I’ll put the car seat bases in this weekend.” He then watched me walk to the bathroom, which more closely resembled a very slow waddle, and added, “and maybe we pack our hospital bag.”

Speady Baby #2, we will be ready for you whenever you decide to debut (please, please do not choose to arrive on November 17th at 8 PM as your mom is VERY excited to attend Michelle Obama’s Book Tour that night. She would be forever grateful if you could just wait a day longer. Please and thank you.)