Yesterday I went for a 37-week ultrasound. Harrison (aka Rocky) appears to be weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 ounces. By way of comparison, Thatcher measured 8 lbs. 4 oz. at his 37 week ultrasound--and that is actually what he weighed at birth. In typical second child fashion, I can't recall what Hadley measured; but she was 7 lbs. 4 oz. at birth. Other interesting ultrasound findings are that this child has hair. No big surprise given the heartburn I've been enduring, but I was stunned that they could actually see it!
In other news, the doctor noted that there seems to be a dilation in Harrison's renal collection system, which collects urine from the kidney tissue and routes it to the bladder. Harrison's right one measured anywhere from 8mm to 10.5mm, and the high end of what this radiologist likes to see is a 7.5mm measurement. This is interesting for a number of reasons, the first of which is that this has not been detected on any of his previous ultrasounds. The ultrasound showed that Harrison's kidneys and bladder are both "normal," and he has ample amniotic fluid to make it through the next 16 days. Anyhow, from what I understand, the issue often resolves itself before the baby is actually born or during the first year of life, so Chad and I ARE NOT WORRIED. The radiologist just said he would like for the doctors to keep a lookout for any symptoms after he is born. We are thankful for the extraordinary advances in
sonography that can detect such tiny things...and for the often-times needless stress they can cause! :) And, again, we would like to reiterate to the great-grandmothers and great-aunts who read this that we are NOT concerned about this possible development.
So, after all that, here are some pictures of our third and final child. Don’t be alarmed by the cauliflower-like growth in front of his face. It’s the umbilical cord. In the first image, you will (if you try) see his eye, cheek, and the corner of his mouth. His head is looking down, and the cord is covering the rest of his face. In the second one, you can see his lips really well underneath the cord. Again, don’t be alarmed by the blurriness of one eye or anything else. It looks rather freaky, I do admit.
Wanting Winston to Try on the Jeff Gordon Hat
"See, it looks REALLY good on you, Winnie...
...but let's face it, no one looks as good in a hat as I do."
Thatcher, on the other hand, has turned on the charm offensive. Here he is reading to Hadley.
Why "Wadwee" is wearing her raincoat to bed, I don't know. 
Sometimes there aren't words to describe this child...
...but the song "Damn, it feels good to be a Gangsta" comes to mind.
Then again, just when you think she's so street, she breaks out the Hello Kitty necklace, Cinderella marshmallows, and hair bun.
