The Belly Strikes Back

Dear Ellie,

Three days before the placental abruption that put your mother into preterm labor, we went to do a detailed ultrasound.  Since you were an IVF pregnancy, there were a lot of extra bells and whistles and we needed to get all of your metrics.  It's common for IVF babies to suffer higher rates of heart problems and defects of that nature.  However, by the end of the appointment, it was quite clear that you were perfect.  No heart issues, no deformities, highly active, and extremely uncooperative with the ultra sound tech.  You were at the 50th percentile in weight for fetuses your age, too.  That's the first time I think I was truly proud of you.  I remember admiring those ultrasound pictures.  A perfect, median fetus.  But then you entered your NICU months and your weight plunged.  You'd been clawing your way back up ever since.

Today, though, something very important happened.  You weighed in at 8 pounds 5 ounces, in the 50th percentile for babies your age.  You finally made it back.