One more picture!!!

Here is another picture from today's ultrasound!! This one has the baby "waving" to you!!!


Towards the right is the head... then just to the left of the head, is it's right arm up in the air "waving". The left arm is down on it's side and then you can see the feet on the left hand side!!!!

Our little monkey is friendly already!!!

Oh, and the heartbeat today was at 169. I forgot to add that in the other post!! 169 is GREAT!

A scare... but we're A-OK now!

I wasn't sure if I should post this or not, but decided since everyone seems to want to be kept up to speed, heres the latest.

Sunday afternoon I was woken up with a "gush down there" and totally panicked. We had some bright red blood but no cramping. Craig and I decided to just relax and NOT rush to the ER unless the spotting got worse or if it had cramping. As the evening wore on, the spotting turned to a brownish color and never had any cramping. So we opted to just wait until morning and call Dr. Gruszynski's office here in town.

I got ahold of them just after 8am and they got me in right away to see the dr. He didn't seem too alarmed since it wasn't bright red and said it was "old blood" and set me up an appointment for an ultrasound on Tuesday (today). Once I got out of the office, I called Dr. Stephenson in Chicago and explained to them what had happened and they too, didn't seem too alarmed.

So today I had an ultrasound and everything looks good. The spotting is caused from the left size of the uterus thinking its time for my monthly cycle and it released some older blood it still had. I might experience this every 4 to 5 weeks when my cycle would normally be due. And since the baby is attached to the right size, the left size "gets confused". But its not doing any harm to me or the baby.

During the ultrasound, the baby did a complete summersault. It was the coolest thing ever! It's amazing at how human-like the baby looks but yet I can't feel it move. Today it's about 6.3 centimeters, which is about 2.5 inches. And according to the book I have at home, it's about the size of a peach!

This picture here is really rather neat.

It might be hard for you to see what is entails

but if you look at the box that is zoomed in on the

right, you can see the eyes & nose!! Look closely,

you'll see a dark spot on the left, thats the baby's brain... and then below that on either size you'll see a circle for the eyes. Then down just a ways in the center you can see the nose!! I know its hard to see, so Im doing my best to point it out to you!!! In the non-zoomed portion of the picture, the white part next to the head is an arm!! The arm was like in a waving position!!!

In this picture, the baby is all stretched out!! Looks like I do when Im getting ready to take a nap!!! The head is on the right, and then the legs are spread apart on the bottom left size!!! You can see one arm is up near the head and the other arm is down on its side!!! The baby moved all over today in the ultrasound scan. I still can't feel the little monkey moving around but in a few weeks I should be able to!!! How exciting will that be!!!

Im not overly happy with the ultrasound technician at the dr's office. She was very unprofessional and even had her own child in the room with us!! NOT HAPPY! So when I go back to see the doctor on Monday I will bring this up to him and if this is the only ultrasound lady they have, I'll see if they can send me to the hospital for my scans going forward. According to my dr. in Chicago, they want me to have scans every 4 weeks!!

So everything is still going really really good. Im feeling great and the nauseousness has subsided for the most part! THANK GOODNESS!!!!!!

Thanks again for all your support!!! We really appreciate it!!!!!

First Trimester Screening Results

I received a call from Elyse at the University of Chicago yesterday (Wednesday) and my screening results are in.

After they did the blood work and ultrasound, our chances for having a baby with down syndrome is 1/5500. WOW! Thats great!!! She said that they will not recommend any further screenings but will request that Dr. Gruszynski does an in depth ultrasound around 18 weeks to check things out!!

Everything is going so good... which makes me very happy!!! Woohoo!!!!

Take care!

Making BIG progress!

Yesterday I had another visit up at Chicago. I gotta say, I just love the staff up there. They've been soo good to me!! I just love going up there!

I first met with the Genetics Counselor and she told me about the different Genetics Screenings they offer to test for abnormalties. We choose to go with the First Trimester Screening which consisted of some blood work and an ultrasound. The U/S they were checking the fluid behind the baby's neck. From my understanding, anything under 3mm is about the norm, and ours was about 0.09mm so we were way low... which is good. I should have the results back from the blood work later this week!

Katie did our ultrasound again yesterday and she does a great job!! She very detailed and does a great job at explaining things to us. We got to hear the heartbeat and this week the heartbeat was at 176bpm. Its so neat to hear the heartbeat and then on the screen you see this little flutter and thats how you see it. Its so neat. We got to see the arms and legs which were more defined from last time... last time they looked like paddles, this time they actually look like arms and legs!!!! The baby was moving all over the place!! But of course when Katie wanted it to move, it just laid there with it's hand on its forehead like "Ive had enough", it was cute.

According to Katie, the baby is about 2.5inches, which is about the size of a large lime. Wow, he/shes a growing so fast!

I know this picture is a bit harder to see, but its an upclose profile of the baby. The baby is lying from left to right. And as you look at the picture, you can see the forehead, nose and chin line. Its easier to see if I point it out but since Im not sitting with you, I guess you'll just have to trust me!!!

We then met with Dr. Stephenson and I am happy to say that she released us to Dr. Gruszynski here in South Bend. This is a wonderful thing, but also sad because I have become so attached to them at UCH. I feel like going to Chicago has been my security blanket, and now they're telling me I dont need that blanket anymore... so it's kind of bittersweet! I know Dr. G will take great care of me, and keep Dr. S and staff informed, but, well I dunno!! Just bittersweet. Dr. Stephenson told me that if at any time I get uncomfortable I can call up there!! So that makes me feel good!!!! I also told Dawn (the coordinator) and Deborah (the nurse) that I'll call just to "check in" from time to time just because I know I'll miss them!!! They also all told me to be sure I come back in February so I can show off our bundle of joy!!! =) You know I will!

I also learned that as part of a study that I am in with the University of Chicago, that when the baby is born, part of the study is banking the cord blood. Wow, thats awesome. You can learn so much with the cord blood! So that made me really really happy!!!

We're still working on agreeing on baby names!!! And I have to say, this is a bigger task than I thought!! Craig doesn't seem to like any of the names that I pick out and he's hooked on one name that Im not overly fond of for a girl. So good thing we have sometime to duke it out!!! And of course, Cole sides with his dad and is against all the names I pick!! BOYS!!!!

All in all, everything is going really well!! I will see Dr. Gruszynski on Monday, August 3 and according to Dr. Stephenson, we'll continue to have ultrasounds every 4 weeks and then later down the road, we'll do fetal monitoring and weekly ultrasounds as we get closer to our due date!

Mom and I started to put a listing together for the baby shower!! We're planning on November and I know it seems like far way off, but honestly, it'll be here before we know it!! That means I'll get to register for our stuff... how fun will that be!!!!

Thanks again for all our support!!! Craig and I both appreciate it sooooo much!!!!!!

Milestone

Well today is Monday, and today is a huge milestone for us. This past Saturday we hit the 10 week mark on our journey!!! This is HUGE milestone for us since in the past pregnancies, our ten week mark was always welcomed by complications. So we were happy to get through the weekend with no problems what so ever!!!

Today is another big milestone for me. 11 weeks ago was day 1 of my LMP... (for those of you who don't know, LMP = last menstraul period) and so that means that technically today is day one of week 11.... meaning this is the furthest we've ever made it in any pregnancy and we're on our way to having a little one!

I know the dr isn't using my LMP for my due date calculations, but for my own knowledge, its nice to know that we've made it officially 11 weeks!! Big sigh of relief.

I haven't been sleeping with a damn lately. I was up until 630am Sunday because I just couldn't get comfy. Then last night I was up again until 3am. This totally sucks. Everyone tells me it gets better during the second trimester and I really hope they're right because Momma Kate needs her sleep!!!

I will be done taking my Prometrium in the morning. I have two pills left so one tonight and then one in the morning and we'll be done with that!!!

Next week is another ultrasound along with my genetics testing for the baby. They said that during the ultrasound they really get in and look at details on the baby so I have a great feeling we're gonna get to really see a lot of features on the little monkey next week!! I can't wait!!!!!

And for those of you who keep asking... NO!!! We're not going to find out what we're having!!! I really really really want it to be a surprise!!!! People say they think its a boy because of the previous ultrasound pics, but sorry, thats not a winkie! Thats just the cord!!! Besides, its too early to tell anyway!!!! You're all gonna have to wait until he/she is born to find out what it is!!!! If I can wait that long, so can you!! =)

Have a great week!

Just a brief update...

Okay, so today we're 9 weeks, 5 days pregnant according to my due date. However, if you go off my LMP date, we're really 10 weeks, 3 days... which is the furthest we've ever made it in any of our pregnancies. So its kinda neat & exciting!!

My belly is growing and my clothes are getting snug, but Im still too small for maternity clothes. My mom bought me some cute tops yesterday so I'll be anxious to try those on and see if they give me a bit more breathing room!

We took Cole to the fair last night and I learned once we were home that our little monkey does NOT like fair food!!! My belly is so upset all night. Ugh!!! I'll have to remember not to feed him/her junk like that!!!

My family is predicting that we're having a girl while Craigs family thinks we're having a boy. I have a gut feeling that we're having a girl, as does Craig, but Cole says its a boy! Guess we'll see who was right when he/she is born!!!

We have a couple names that we really like.... well, that I like!! Craig is stuck on one name and Im trying to negotiate so we're both happy. So I'll work on him!!! Good thing we have another 6 months to work this out huh?

I found out today that one of my friends who is also pregnant is having twins!!! OMG how exciting for them!! They're sure going to have their hands full but Im really excited for them!!!

I think that is all the update I have for today.... until next time....

July 6 Dr. Update

Well yesterday was another dr visit up in Chicago. My mom went with me this time and it was such a great day to spend with her. Gotta love bonding time with the momma!!

We had our ultrasound first before meeting with the doctor. I requested to have Katie do my u/s again and I was pleased that she got to be our techinican again!! She's the best!!!!

When our "little monkey" appeared on the screen, I was shocked to see ARMS & LEGS!! And they were moving!!! It was so neat!!

Look at what we saw, it was so neat!

Then we got to see the heartbeat again. It was stronger than last time and this time it was at 182 beats per minute!!!! Thats up from 136 just two weeks ago.

So then Katie was like, "If you think this view is cool, check out this... and then the picutres came up in 4D!! Just look at the detail in this!!!

So then after the ultrasound we met with Dr. Stephenson and she seemed really pleased with the progress we're making!! I think she was proud that I have actually followed everything she has told me to do and that Im taking it easy.

We're still not out of the woods yet. 10 weeks is a MAJOR milestone for us, and that happens to fall this coming Saturday. Then we'll be over one hump. We'll be "fragile" most of the pregnancy, and considered high risk, but teh first 10 to 12 weeks are the most crutial.

I will get to stop taking my Prometrium once my supply runs out; which will be next Monday. Dr. Stephenson says you only need to take it until 10 weeks but Im taking mine until its gone.... better safe than sorry!!!

I am going back to Chicago on Monday, July 20 for a follow up appointment, ultrasound and for first trimester genetic screening. This screening will do some testing on the baby (with no risk to the baby mind you) and test for any abnormalities. After this appointment, my Dr. said she will probably release me to my dr. here in town!! OMG huuuuuuuge step!!! She was going to call my dr. here in town to make sure she was comfortable with him taking care of me. He's a great doctor and specializes in high risk so I think once she actually talks to him, she'll be at ease more to turn me over!

I am part of a study at the University of Chicago that requires me to give blood once a month, extra ultrasounds and more hands on dr. care. This study is to see how people with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome react to pregnancy and what happens to their systems during pregnancy. I was tested for the AAS twice prior to becoming pregnant, once I tested positive for the syndrome and once I tested negative. I did the blood draws yesterday and they will send those off to New York for testing. If I test positive this time, I will get to be part of the study and continue with monthly blood tests and such. If I test negative, I wont get to be part of the study. Either way, I'm antsy to see what the test comes back at.

As we were getting ready to leave the hospital yesterday, we stopped in the gift shop go get a snack, and my mom found this stuffed monkey and she said she had to get it because it was a good luck charm for us!! So we now have our "Lucky Monkey"... isn't he so cute!

All in all it was a great visit to the doctor. I am anxious to go back on the 20th and then to be released to my dr. here in town!! That will be a nice change so I dont have to take days off from work for appointments and will be nice that the dr's office is just down the street!!! Hurray!!!

Thank you all for keeing us in your prayers and your NEVER ENDING SUPPORT!!!! We soooo appreciate it... more than you'll ever know!!!!

Until next time......

Katie & Craig

Thursday Update

Not too much to update on today. Im looking forward to my appointment on Monday. My mom and I are heading up to Chicago around 1pm and my appointment is set for 330pm. I am excited about another ultrasound.

My face has started to break out... sonofabitch!!! Hopefully its just a phase and will go away before too long!! I feel like Im in jr high again with this breakout shit!!! UGH!!!!

My pants are becoming a little bit tighter. My work pants are okay, but my jeans won't be lasting too much longer!!! I bought those Belly Band things that are to go over your waistbands for when your pants get snug but youre still too small for maternity stuff! So we'll probably be busting those out soon!!

I pulled out the totes of maternity clothes that my sisters & Kristan gave to me!!! Need to see whats in there!! Im afraid my sisters things won't do too much good for me since they were all REALLY pregnant in the summer and Im only just getting started!! It's okay though, it'll give me a reason to go shopping!! =)

Hope you all have a fabulous 4th of July and I'll check back in on Tuesday and give you an update from Monday's appointment!!!