There is not much going on...Which is good! Zack has decided to call this baby Stitch, so I said that was as good a name as any until we pick out a real name. He suggested that we call the baby Stitch until he is 4 and then call him Zack... I guess if George Foreman can do it, so can we! I have a feeling this baby will be Stitch right up until delivery as Erik is not know for his speedy decision making. We are working on a list now, but I'm feeling it will be slow going.
Baby Stitch is moving a lot, flipping and kicking like crazy. It's not quite enough for anyone else to see or feel yet, but I'm sure it will be in a few weeks. Zack is really into talking to him and giving kisses, so I'm sure he'll be excited when he can feel some kicking. He is working on his "big boy: patience, but it says it's "taking soooo long!!" He can be pretty entertaining.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
20 weeks 2 days
Zack found out about the baby last night. At first I think he was a little confused. His first response was "but our baby died." Then Erik explained that this was a new baby that would be coming to live at our house. I told him it would be a baby brother. He said "I need to go draw something" and went to his toy room for about 5 minutes. He came back with two little pieces of paper. He told us they were light sabers, one for him and one for the baby. The baby can have the green one and he will have the red one, Darth Vader's color. Once we told him the baby was actually in my tummy, then he really got excited. He was kissing my tummy and talking to the baby. Even this morning he was standing next to me and said "besos" (Spanish for kisses, learned from cousin Ezra) and kissed my tummy a few times. We then got to Day care and he walked through the hall loudly proclaiming "I'm having a baby!" When we got his class, he told his teacher Ms. Melissa "My mom's tummy is reallllly big." She didn't know quite what to say to that! I told him to tell her why my tummy was so big. He said "Because I'm going to be a big brother!" They were so sweet, telling him congratulations and that he will be the best brother ever. I just love the teachers at his school.
Of course this morning, about 12 hours after we told him, he was complaining that it was taking way too long to get the baby here and wanted to know why he couldn’t see the baby now. It’s hard to be patient when you are 4! It’s going to a long 4 months for him. I told him it would be after Thanksgiving and he didn’t think that was a good idea at all. Of course he wanted to know who would be eating the baby’s share of turkey for Thanksgiving…
We met with our regular OB this morning. She was pleased with the outcome of the ultrasound and was not at all concerned about the follow-up. She said that it was very unlikely there would be anything wrong as there would be some other indication. She also said that they are just so small at this point (average about 10 ½ oz. and 6 ½ inches) that it can be hard to see everything. A few weeks growth will make a difference. Plus there is really not much you can do to get them to move. In order to get the profile shots (which I will post later) the tech had me roll over so that I was almost on my stomach, because he was not cooperating. At that time he was holding both of his feet in his hands, folded like a clam. She is having me step down again with the prednisone from 15 mg to 10mg. I’m hoping I don’t lose my sense of smell, but I’m prepared. I was nice being able to smell after 2 years of not being able to. Darn sinus polyps.
Next Appointments:
August 25th – Follow up Level 2 Ultrasound
September 4th – 24 week checkup
October 2nd – 28 week checkup
Of course this morning, about 12 hours after we told him, he was complaining that it was taking way too long to get the baby here and wanted to know why he couldn’t see the baby now. It’s hard to be patient when you are 4! It’s going to a long 4 months for him. I told him it would be after Thanksgiving and he didn’t think that was a good idea at all. Of course he wanted to know who would be eating the baby’s share of turkey for Thanksgiving…
We met with our regular OB this morning. She was pleased with the outcome of the ultrasound and was not at all concerned about the follow-up. She said that it was very unlikely there would be anything wrong as there would be some other indication. She also said that they are just so small at this point (average about 10 ½ oz. and 6 ½ inches) that it can be hard to see everything. A few weeks growth will make a difference. Plus there is really not much you can do to get them to move. In order to get the profile shots (which I will post later) the tech had me roll over so that I was almost on my stomach, because he was not cooperating. At that time he was holding both of his feet in his hands, folded like a clam. She is having me step down again with the prednisone from 15 mg to 10mg. I’m hoping I don’t lose my sense of smell, but I’m prepared. I was nice being able to smell after 2 years of not being able to. Darn sinus polyps.
Next Appointments:
August 25th – Follow up Level 2 Ultrasound
September 4th – 24 week checkup
October 2nd – 28 week checkup
Monday, August 4, 2008
It's a BOY
We had out Level 2 ultrasound today. Everything looked good. They do want us to come back in three weeks for a follow-up US as the baby was holding his arm in a position that prevented them for getting all of the heart measurement they wanted. She reiterated several times that they did not see anything wrong, just wanted to make sure everything was all right, and they couldn’t do that with the way he was positioned. So, we go back on August 25th. I was a little disappointed as I wanted to get a 100% "everything is great." She said she would give me a 95% "everything is great" which will have to do for now. I know there is nothing to worry about, but I don't think I'll be full at ease until we get the 100%...Of course I won't REALLY be fully at ease until he is born safely. And then comes the REST of the worrying...Who am I kidding, the lifetime of worry has just begun!!
We didn't care one way or the other about the gender of the baby, so we are excited to have another little boy in our house. Zack will have plenty of time to adjust to the idea of a baby brother. We'll probably tell him a brother will be much more likely to join him in light saber fights, albeit a few years down the road... We are going to tell him tonight.
We didn't care one way or the other about the gender of the baby, so we are excited to have another little boy in our house. Zack will have plenty of time to adjust to the idea of a baby brother. We'll probably tell him a brother will be much more likely to join him in light saber fights, albeit a few years down the road... We are going to tell him tonight.
Monday, July 28, 2008
19 weeks 1 day
We had a wonderful time last week in Oregon at Lara & Chuck's wedding (Erik's sister) and Zack made an adorable ring bearer/dance floor manic. Back to the real world now...
Nothing new to report on the baby front. We finally went public to people last week as the word has started to spread a little. I'm not really able to "hide" any more and am now in maternity clothes, some of them make me look about 9 1/2 months along instead of almost 5!
Next Monday at 9:30 we have our Level 2 Ultrasound at the North Memorial Perinatal Center. For those that don't know, a Level 2 ultrasound, also called a targeted ultrasound, is done by a specially trained technician with more sensitive equipment. My Doctor wants us to get the more intensive U/S due to my age (I am AMA… of Advanced Maternal Age! YIKES!) My blood pressure issue and the Leukocyte compatibility issues that caused us to lose the last baby. They will be checking to make sure that the growth is on target as IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) is a big concern with both the high blood pressure and the Leukocyte problems. Zack had IUGR (VERY different reasons & circumstances) and was born at 38 weeks at a whopping 4 lbs 4oz! As much as I loved the nurses and doctors at the North Memorial NICU, we are hoping that we don’t have to spend any time with them for this one. I had a Level 2 with Zack as well. It's amazing to watch as they check all of the anatomy and even watch how the blood flows in and out of the heart. It usually takes about an hour. I'm planning on working that afternoon, so I will have an update as soon as I can. We will be finding out gender if the baby is cooperative. We figure it will be better to be prepared, plus Zack will want to know if he's getting his 'heart's desire' baby sister.
Nothing new to report on the baby front. We finally went public to people last week as the word has started to spread a little. I'm not really able to "hide" any more and am now in maternity clothes, some of them make me look about 9 1/2 months along instead of almost 5!
Next Monday at 9:30 we have our Level 2 Ultrasound at the North Memorial Perinatal Center. For those that don't know, a Level 2 ultrasound, also called a targeted ultrasound, is done by a specially trained technician with more sensitive equipment. My Doctor wants us to get the more intensive U/S due to my age (I am AMA… of Advanced Maternal Age! YIKES!) My blood pressure issue and the Leukocyte compatibility issues that caused us to lose the last baby. They will be checking to make sure that the growth is on target as IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) is a big concern with both the high blood pressure and the Leukocyte problems. Zack had IUGR (VERY different reasons & circumstances) and was born at 38 weeks at a whopping 4 lbs 4oz! As much as I loved the nurses and doctors at the North Memorial NICU, we are hoping that we don’t have to spend any time with them for this one. I had a Level 2 with Zack as well. It's amazing to watch as they check all of the anatomy and even watch how the blood flows in and out of the heart. It usually takes about an hour. I'm planning on working that afternoon, so I will have an update as soon as I can. We will be finding out gender if the baby is cooperative. We figure it will be better to be prepared, plus Zack will want to know if he's getting his 'heart's desire' baby sister.
Monday, July 14, 2008
17 weeks 1 day
We got the results from the AFP test today. The screen came back normal. I'm not sure exactly what that means in terms of the risk score, but I would guess that a "normal" results would indicate it is not likely that the baby has spina bifida or any other type of neural tube defects. Good news. I have also been starting to feel some movement going on. It feels like the baby is doing laps and practicing flip turns. Every now and then I feel some taping too, like s/he is knocking on the "wall" to see what's going on out here. Zack still doesn't officially know, but he keep taking about his baby sister and wanting to pick up some chicken paste (our term for the Gerber Chicken baby food that he ate until he was 2) every time we are at Target. He's a pretty smart guy so he probably picks up on more than we think he does. He is adamant that his baby will be a sister, so it will be interesting to see what happens if it's a brother. Either way I'm sure he will be so excited when he knows he'll be getting "his" baby for his birthday.
Friday, July 11, 2008
16 weeks 5 days
We had the 16 week check up yesterday. Everything was fine. Baby's heart rate was 156 beats per minute and she found it right away. She did decide to put me on a low dose of blood pressure medication as my BP is still borderline. She said that it will only increase as we get further along so it's best to start controlling it now. She is also starting to wean me off of the prednisone. I'm have been on 20 mg per day up until now, but I'm going down to 15 mg until I see her again on August 5th. She also said it's likely that we will not make it to the due date (December 21st) as with the leukocyte compatibility issues along with my high blood pressure will be cause for an early induction. I can't say I'm surprised. If we go at 39 weeks this baby could be born on Zack's birthday!
We also asked her to give us a Little more detail on the Nuchal Transparency test that we had at 12 weeks. This is the test that gives us the odds of chromosomal defects specific to our baby. Someone my age generally has a 1/200 chance of a Downs Syndrome baby and a 1/160 chance of Trisomy 13/18 (these are fatal to 95% of babies who carry them) What we found out is that the risk for this baby for Downs is 1/680 and Trisomy 13/18 is 1/6000. We feel pretty good about those odds! They took a blood draw to screen for AFP (Alfa Feto Protein) which give an indication of neural tube defects (spina bifida, ancephaly) We should get the results of that next week.
Next Appointments
August 4th --Level 2 Ultrasound
August 5th -- 20 week check up
September 4th -- 24 week check up
We also asked her to give us a Little more detail on the Nuchal Transparency test that we had at 12 weeks. This is the test that gives us the odds of chromosomal defects specific to our baby. Someone my age generally has a 1/200 chance of a Downs Syndrome baby and a 1/160 chance of Trisomy 13/18 (these are fatal to 95% of babies who carry them) What we found out is that the risk for this baby for Downs is 1/680 and Trisomy 13/18 is 1/6000. We feel pretty good about those odds! They took a blood draw to screen for AFP (Alfa Feto Protein) which give an indication of neural tube defects (spina bifida, ancephaly) We should get the results of that next week.
Next Appointments
August 4th --Level 2 Ultrasound
August 5th -- 20 week check up
September 4th -- 24 week check up
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
15 Weeks 3 days
There is really nothing new to report. The only thing going on is that my Blood Pressure is ticking up a bit. I’ve had a few reading with the top number in the 140’s & 130’s, but the bottom number is consistently in the 70’s & 80’s. This morning it was 119/78, so that’s good. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that I’m sitting on the verge of when we lost the last baby… 16 week. Today I am 15 weeks and 3 days.
Even though there is nothing wrong that I know of, I’m still so nervous. I think that I’ll start to feel better after our appointment next week, even though I’m really freaking out about it…. The last time I went in for routine 16 weeks prenatal check, our baby had died. I keep trying to remind myself that this pregnancy is different. I feel different. My body is not in overdrive trying to get rid of the “foreign body” like it was last time. In fact, I have not really been sick at all, thanks to the prednisone. Even with Zack I was nauseous up until 24 weeks. The down side of the lack of nausea? I have gained SO much weight! Yikes! My pants would barely button this morning! I’m hoping to avoid full on maternity clothes until 20 weeks (8/4), as that’s when we are “going public” with this pregnancy, but at this rate I’m not sure I can make it. If only I could wear yoga pants and sweats to work… Even the elastic waists are getting tight.
Next Appointments:
July 10 – 16 week prenatal check
August 4 – Level II Ultrasound at North Memorial Perinatal Center
August 5 – 20 week prenatal check
Even though there is nothing wrong that I know of, I’m still so nervous. I think that I’ll start to feel better after our appointment next week, even though I’m really freaking out about it…. The last time I went in for routine 16 weeks prenatal check, our baby had died. I keep trying to remind myself that this pregnancy is different. I feel different. My body is not in overdrive trying to get rid of the “foreign body” like it was last time. In fact, I have not really been sick at all, thanks to the prednisone. Even with Zack I was nauseous up until 24 weeks. The down side of the lack of nausea? I have gained SO much weight! Yikes! My pants would barely button this morning! I’m hoping to avoid full on maternity clothes until 20 weeks (8/4), as that’s when we are “going public” with this pregnancy, but at this rate I’m not sure I can make it. If only I could wear yoga pants and sweats to work… Even the elastic waists are getting tight.
Next Appointments:
July 10 – 16 week prenatal check
August 4 – Level II Ultrasound at North Memorial Perinatal Center
August 5 – 20 week prenatal check
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