29 weeks

An exciting ultrasound this morning at 7:30am paved the way for a brilliant day.  First our girl is measuring pretty close to right on track, despite her single umbilical artery.  She is in the 48th percentile for growth - her estimated fetal weight is at 2lbs 2oz.  We will have ultrasounds every month until delivery to monitor her growth - at 32 weeks, and again at 36 weeks.  Oh, and I was right about her not being transverse in my belly anymore, she totally turned and is head down, and LOW in my pelvis apparently, with her face pointing toward my spine, hence the smaller baby bump and the waddle that Paul says I sport already - though I'll deny it.  Also, I had an issue with partial placental previa, where the placenta is attached in an unfavorable spot for a normal delivery, and that has resolved too…which means I can finally start running again after 8 weeks off, and a c-section discussion has ceased!  To celebrate I totally splurged: Hello happy feet!

Our little lady did put up a fight this morning, and resisted measurements with her crazy movements.  She hid her face from us the entire time, we only got a brief glimpse of her lips/nose in this crazy ultrasound image…her right foot, and left fist are in the upper right corner, and smooshed right under them are her lips.  She was curled up in a tiny ball.  Her heart rate was at 148bpm.  

and we have finally settled on a perfect name for her...

I put a lot of thought into names, and so it took us a while.  Each of our kids have some part of their name that ties into a running theme, which is only fitting since our love story started on the track.  Ryker means "fast strider," Kiplin's middle name is Miles, and Jovie's middle name is Reese which means "running."  And so for our sweet 2nd girl it was only fitting to find a way to do the same.

Her first name I fell in love with the meaning instantly, and the name too.  It took Paul a bit longer, but now he is sold.

The inspiration behind her middle name of Lane, was "one who runs the straight and narrow path"

I think that is a pretty strong name for a petite gal - Hartley Lane Loprinzi "a warm hearted woman who runs the straight and narrow path."

I've been thrifting lately, and scored some sweet, cheap deals at consignment/antique stores.  Aside from needing to buy a carseat/stroller and pack n' play and diapers we are pretty set for this lady.  I guess since this is our 4th time around, we are pretty well supplied with the need-to-have items, that and I am also in the mindset of less is really more.  The cuteness I scored with $1-2 dresses will assure she has some summer style when she is born in June…

This is the first time I've been able to "prepare a nursery" for a baby, and it is so much fun.  Granted I am doing so on a tight budget, I think that makes it even more special…Some little glimpses of what is happening so far….The red heart, painted by a proud, very excited, big sister.

I am waiting for her crib quilt to come in the mail, and trying to convince a certain just turned 3 year old to give up her crib for a big girl bed…until then, Little H will be crib-less - hence the reason for a pack n' play.  I think we are getting close to making that transition soon though..

So excited to meet this sweet girl!