When will Oliver be born?

The OB had originally scheduled the c-section for September 24 (38w5d), but the MFM doctors have told me the longest they'll let me go is 36 weeks (which I'll hit on September 5 or 7 depending on if you use the egg retrieval date or LMP). I've also been told they won't do any fetal transfusions past 32 weeks. If my third transfusion was at 31 weeks, they might deliver him at 33 or 34 weeks if he was back in the severe anemia category. I had been hoping to make it until at least August 29, which is when I'd be at 35 weeks if you go by the egg retrieval date. Financially, it's best for us if he waits until at least August 27, as then I could use the full 8 weeks of paid sick leave. I know that if he makes it until August 29 that he won't automatically go to the NICU, but I also know from my experience with Nadia (who was born at 36w) that some babies born after 35 weeks still end up in the NICU. I've been telling myself that the best case scenario is that we'll come home the end of August, and the more likely scenario is that we'll come home the first week of September. If he was born at 34 weeks, he'd likely be in the NICU for 2 weeks, which means we still wouldn't be coming home until he hit what would have been 36 weeks. Obviously, it's better for him if he isn't born until 36 weeks. Between the bleeding (which is supposed to get worse as time goes on) and fetal anemia, I am dubious I'll make it to 36 weeks. I'm thinking the farthest he'll probably make it is 34 or 35 weeks since they don't do transfusions after 32 weeks, but I'd love to be wrong! I'm still hoping to avoid the NICU in part because I'm really wanting to have a smoother start with nursing this third time around. I added a poll to the blog; you can cast your vote as to when you think he'll be born. Sometime within the next 6 weeks or so we'll find out who was right!

The next ultrasound has been scheduled for Thursday. I'm guessing the next transfusion will be on Friday, but I'd love to be wrong because if Oliver can wait until next week, then Dr. Tressler can do the transfusion. Also, I'm supposed to have visitors this Saturday, and it's easier to have visitors when I'm on the 9th floor (and I'd be on the 8th floor on Saturday if I have the transfusion on Friday). We shall see. I've now gone 12 days since the last hemmorhaging incident and 7 days since the bleeding totally stopped. I've mostly been reading, listening to music on the radio, and playing "Words with Friends" on Facebook. I have been periodically checking to see if the channels had been restored. They weren't as of this morning, but as of 5pm this evening they were back! I am looking forward to being able to watch Dick van Dyke and such tomorrow. Of course what I really am looking forward to is being home with my kids (where I don't watch any tv aside from Steeler games), but tv does help to pass the time while I'm in solitary confinement.

Ian is now using a fork to eat peas (one at a time) and pieces of hot dog or a banana. He also ate his first sandwich! He also has learned to drink from a straw and blow bubbles. My sister is going to teach him how to wash his own hands with soap and water next, which would be amazing as normally he cries when I wash his hands due to his sensory issues. I can't believe how much progress he's made in the last couple of weeks!