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!!!!!!