Saturday, April 05, 2008

The Photo

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This is baby T's thirty week ultrasound photo. It was an amazing experience to witness a view of our unborn child's face weeks before birth. Our biggest first impression was how much this baby looked like Big Sister. He or she was not a generic, could-be-anybody's baby. This little one was already (and had been for quite some time) his or her own certain someone, growing and developing in the privacy of the womb. Then modern technology stole a peek.



Here is Baby T at home about a week after his birth. I think it's interesting how he much prefers to sleep on his side, hands tucked under his chin. Hmm, how very similar to his position in the ultrasound pic. In my last trimester, every time I lay down on the table at my prenatal appointments, the doctor would remark how he could see the outline of the baby showing through my belly--head down, back along my left side, legs tucked up on my right. Probably much the way he is in this photo.
These photos bring a couple of thoughts to mind..
We think of a person's life beginning at birth. But it is well documented how babies are born with strong preferences, formed from their experience in utero. Baby T has his favorite sleeping position, he was born already familiar with our voices and household sounds.
Photography is an amazing invention. Especially the kind that allows us to draw insight from what has been hidden for most of human kind's history--the development of a child not yet born.

8 comments:

Granny Smith said...

Amazing picture and new insight into the beginning of human life.

Jon said...

I remember my first sight of my daughter inside my partner's tummy - I stood in awe.

I agree with your points about preferences. When my partner was pregnant we played lots of music - a couple of tunes in particular. Guess what ? Those two tunes are our daughter's favourites.

GreenishLady said...

This is so beautiful. He is so beautiful. I always regretted that I didn't get to have an ultrasound when I was carrying my son. I loved hearing his heartbeat at antenatal visits.

Christy Woolum said...

I love this post. I am also glad you enjoyed the photos of Wenanchee. It was so fun to take pictures of that part of the state. My husband had lived in Chelan years ago and was shocked at how much it had changed. I'll be back to visit. I must say... we have much in common!!

Christy Woolum said...

Being the teacher I am... that should have said Wenatchee... I posted a photo essay video of the trip also.

Tumblewords: said...

Amazing! Lovely words and pictures.

Patois42 said...

These are beautiful photos. I love your words as much.

Liza on Maui said...

yep... it's pretty amazing these new technologies... the ultrasound photos ... and it's wonderful to be able to document our kid's growth through photographs. Nice to see another photo of Baby T. He's already grown :)