Baby Boy Update

10 days away from due date! Today I had my once a week appointment and for the last few I have been having to do a non-stress test (checking his heart rate). Doctors just want to make sure baby is doing good in there with his two vessel and extra fluid. Well, anyways found out today that my doctor and the perinatal doctor weren't going to let me go much longer, most likely induce next week. But, we also found out baby boy is transverse (sideways) and we could try to turn him. Although, he could most likely turn back with all the fluid in there, it is a painful to do especially since I am not dilated and it is something my doctor doesn't strongly recommend in week 38. So, Corey and I decided to just plan a c-section, which is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9 at 8:30am. We are so excited to have a date of meeting our boy. If he ends up being head down at the time, they will just induce me. I am great with either! Glad to have an end in sight...getting very uncomfortable with this huge and heavy belly. Please be in prayer for us and the arrival of our baby boy. And you never know...he could decide to come on his own before then.

Ultrasound update -35 weeks

Yesterday we had our ultrasound to check in with baby boy and his fluid. Praise God the fluid has remained the same, which means it is just part of him being a bigger baby and producing more waste and such. Fun! He measured at 7lbs 2oz. Also, my stomach is measuring big at 39 weeks. Doctor is assured and assured us that everything is looking great! She mentioned that she probably couldn't be more excited than Corey and I, but that she is extremely excited for us. And Corey and I very excited to meet our baby boy. So close. Today I am actually 36 weeks now!!! After this week, he can come anytime! We are ready. 

Here are pictures from the ultrasound yesterday:

Hair on top of his head...so cute!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers and would appreciate still. You all have been such a huge support and encouragement to the both us. 

35 weeks

Well, I am 35 weeks this week! I can't believe how close we are getting to the due date. This week is a bittersweet week for me, because this is the week I had Gracie. She is always on my heart and mind, but a little extra this week. I am so thankful for those 35 weeks I had with Gracie. Difficult, but blessed. I wish she was here to meet her baby brother, but I know she will be watching from Heaven.

So, this means I will be experiencing new territory in this pregnancy, which is exciting but a bit nervous of how all this will go. I am feeling good, just the normal pregnancy tiredness and being uncomfortable. It has been hotter than normal for this time of year here. It is going to be cooler and maybe some rain here this week. I am actually looking forward to that. 

We have ultrasound on June 13, to check baby's growth and fluid, so please be praying for that. I will update after. Corey and I are so ready to meet our son!! His room is ready and we are ready. 

Here is a 35 week picture of baby boy and me:

35 weeks

 

Growth Ultrasound - Baby boy

Today was the growth ultrasound. We found out our baby is in the 80th percentile measuring 5lbs 11 ounces. We were very happy to find out his two vessel umbilical cord was not stunting his growth. It looks like we will be having a big baby. We also found out that I have extra fluid in there, which might mean more ultrasounds. I didn't quite get an answer from the doctor why I might have extra fluid. I did not see my doctor today, so they were going to let her know. My tummy two weeks ago measured at 33 weeks and today it measured 37 weeks. I am a bit in shock that I am experiencing extra fluid again. I am traveling to California tomorrow, which doctor said was fine, but please be praying that baby and I have safe travels. Also, continue to pray for the pregnancy that baby continues to grow strong and healthy and that the extra fluid would not exceed much more. Thank you! God is good and I know He is taking great care of baby and I.

Baby Shower and Mother's Day

Can I just say what a wonderful weekend to have a first baby shower the same weekend as Mother's Day?! Especially with the memory of our sweet baby girl Gracie Ann and how hard last Mother's Day was. God is good and has blessed Corey and I so much with joy and excitement in waiting for this baby boy's arrival. 
My friends threw me a wonderful baby shower today here in Oregon. I loved it and had so much fun celebrating our baby. I often look back at our time with Gracie Ann, and ache for what we missed out on experiencing with her. At the same time, looking with joy in what our future holds with our son. I am just amazed how God has brought us from such a sad time to such a happier time. We appreciate all of this so much more and are so thankful for where we have been and where we are going. I just am feeling so much joy in preparing for our baby boy. Praising the Lord for His kindness, love and comfort these last couple of years. 
At the same time, I miss Gracie so much and sometimes experiencing all of this makes it worse, but I know we will be together again and trust in God's plan for our lives. Her life will not be forgotten on this earth. I also feel it is so honoring to her to be happy and excited for the arrival of her brother. 
So, tomorrow will be bittersweet celebrating Mother's Day. I am a mother of 2 babies, one I did not know on this earth and one I am soon to meet. Happy Mother's Day to all moms and so much love to moms who have lost a child. 
Update of this pregnancy: Baby boy is doing great in there. I am confident that his growth ultrasound will be positive, it is May 21, and prayers are appreciated. My stomach is growing so I am sure he is too! =) I will give an update of how it goes. Also, he is moving so much in there, which is the most amazing feeling ever. I love when I touch my belly and I can feel him. Truly amazing and something I never experienced with Gracie. I just can't get over the feeling of it. It does make me a bit thankful that Gracie was our first, because if I knew a baby was suppose to move this much and knew that feeling, I would have been at the doctors everyday thinking something happened to her. With the fluid and her not growing, I didn't feel her very much.
Thank you to all of our family and friends for your love and support with Gracie and this pregnancy.
Here is some pictures of today:

My wonderful pregnant friends who threw me the shower!

Look at the belly...Geez!

 

Results are In

Hello Everyone...While I was on a walk on this beautiful day in Oregon, I got a call from the Doctor's office and my blood test came back normal, which means negative for any abnormalities. God is so good!! So thankful and I am so excited. Corey isn't back from work yet, so he doesn't know, but I know he will be so excited!!! I couldn't wait to post. Welcoming all gifts for baby boy. =) j/k...well...sort of. Also, thank you so much for your prayers thus far. Keep them coming!

For those that read that aren't on Facebook, I am 22 weeks today and feeling lots of movement from baby boy. I am really enjoying it.

22 weeks

Pictures of the Little Man

No question it is a boy!

Baby Update

We had our 20 week ultrasound, as you all have been waiting for the news, and It's a BOY!! We are very excited, especially Corey. Baby looked perfect, at the right weight for his due date and great heart beat. Unfortunately, there is this only thing, he has a 2 vessel umbilical cord, which if this was my first pregnancy they would not show concern with this, but with my history with Gracie they are going to watch his growth more closely. They see this in abnormalities sometimes and I believe Gracie had the same thing. So, today I did a blood test that will give us more peace of mind. As far as Trisomy 18 is concerned they didn't see any markers on him! Praise God! But this test will confirm. The doctors are pretty positive that it is nothing, and again it is just because of my history that they are going to watch him more closely. I get the results back in 8-10 days, more waiting and at around 30 weeks they will check his growth with ultrasound. Great doctors making sure we are getting the best care. They were really sad to have to show concern for this. All in all Corey and I left feeling much more positive and excited about bringing a baby into this world. So, I am feeling almost no nervousness at all, just a tiny bit. Continue prayers are much appreciated and as always I will keep you all updated. Thank you so much for your prayers thus far. And I can not get my scanner to work, so I need my computer savy husband's help and then I will put pictures up, which are so cute. I didn't want to wait any longer to tell you all the news.

Big Day Thursday

Family/Friends....this Thursday, February 28 is the 20 week ultrasound. Please be praying for us that day, as we prayerfully will be seeing a healthy baby growing in there and we will be finding out the gender. I am very anxious and nervous about this ultrasound, as at 16/17 weeks is when we found out Gracie's prognosis. This time we have no idea what is going on in there since I didn't do any test, which I am still thankful we made that decision. Reminder to myself and all of you, the chances of Trisomy 18 is less than 1% percent and the first ultrasound looked good. It is difficult to not be nervous though, because I keep replaying that ultrasound in my head, where I see a beautiful baby on the screen and then after hearing the doctor list all these things wrong with our baby. Extremely hard to remove from your mind and heart. I daily, hourly, every minute pray and plead...really, that there is a strong healthy baby growing in there. I will of course update my blog Thursday at some point, so be looking and please be praying. I know most of you have been already praying for us. We are so grateful.

A few of the verses helping me through this time:

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
        From where does my help come?
    My help comes from the LORD,
        who made heaven and earth.
    He will not let your foot be moved;
        he who keeps you will not slumber.
    Behold, he who keeps Israel
        will neither slumber nor sleep.
    The LORD is your keeper;
        the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
    The sun shall not strike you by day,
        nor the moon by night.
    The LORD will keep you from all evil;
        he will keep your life.
    The LORD will keep
        your going out and your coming in
        from this time forth and forevermore.


Phillipians 4:6-7
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A little blessing...

Corey and I are very excited to announce that we are having baby #2!!! Excited for Gracie Ann to be a big sister. Due date is July 12, 2013. We had a ultrasound at 10 weeks and everything looked normal for baby. I am currently 13 weeks. Testing was left up to our decision, which we decided to not do any testing and see how baby grows. God is good and we are trusting in His provisions. We just want to enjoy this pregnancy and not have added stress of testing. For me though, I have found myself to be a ball of nerves and worrying at times to be honest. I pray this baby is growing strong and healthy. Will you join us in doing the same?

Baby #2