Shenanigans

The past two weekends, our area has gotten snow. This is a big deal here; an inch of snow closes our 7 cities. The first weekend we had somewhere between 6 and 8 inches. It has been a very long time since we have seen that much snow! I think I was in middle school the last time we had a ton of snow like this. We were able to visit Kelly, Harry, and Emma and play with them in the snow. Koal loved the snow. He would eat the snow balls we made and any ice that feel from the roof he ate. He rolled around in it like it was sand on the beach (just a lot easier to clean off of him!).

Koal looking for the perfect spot to make yellow snow

Emma loves Hunter

Hunter 2010 :]

His first snowman

Making Emma her lazy boy

---------------------------------------------------------------------

We finished putting together Hunter's room (all the things that we have right now anyways). I love it. If I had my rocking chair now I would just sit in there. It is nice knowing that everything is put together in there (as Kelly says, I'm like Monica on Friends.. it isn't nesting). Here are pictures of what his nursery looks like as of today.

His reading corner (although the rocker will eventually go here)

I need more books :]

And then there was 1

We went on Friday to EVMS for our level 2 ultrasound. This ultrasound tech was super friendly. Actually, everyone I encountered at EVMS was very friendly (even the check-in lady). The whole time the tech was looking at Hunter, she was telling us what she was looking at, how it looked, etc. The only thing I had a problem with was when she wanted Hunter to move (which, for once, he was calm and just relaxing) she started jabbing my stomach with the wand (yes, that is a technical term). All of his measurements looked good. The smaller cyst was completely gone and the larger cyst has gotten smaller. Yay!! Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! The tech and the doctor that came in said we don't have anything to worry about.... we are very low risk, all of his measurements are normal, and these things occur in healthy babies. The term "cyst" sounds so bad... all these "cysts" are is a collection of cerebral spinal fluid and it is believed that it is just reabsorbed back into the brain. CSF is what keeps bathes our brains and acts as a sort of cushion. It is made in the Choriod Plexus... hence the name "Choriod Plexus Cyst". The only thing I'm worried about is his big head... it is in the 90th percentile, measuring over a week ahead. I'm not worried that anything is wrong (he is going to be really smart, lots of brains), I'm worried about birthing that head! lol

Sweet baby boy

I love his little feet

My sister came with us to the appointment. She brought us some really cute newborn outfits. :] She said she had tried to find boat shoes for him (my favorite!), but she couldn't find any at Target. I think I'm just going to have to go to Babies R Us and buy the pair I found (even though Carl really dislikes boat shoes... it's not like I make him wear boat shoes! Although, I would totally buy him a pair). Thanks Mel for being an awesome sister/best friend!

We got a TON of pictures from the ultrasound! Mel said he was throwing "gang" signs out for us because he knows his daddy is from P-town, haha. I saw them as a peace sign and an a-okay sign. :] He was sitting with his little legs crossed this time around, rather than showing off his man parts. He is still breech, but hopefully he will flip on his own eventually. I'd prefer not having my midwife trying to turn him... that just seems like it would be uncomfortable.

He's saying, "Everything is okay!"

Peace!

As I write this, Hunter is going crazy. I even saw my belly jump from one of his kicks/punches. I still can't tell the difference between which is which. I have tricked him into thinking he is in the car by playing music on the computer. He is always so active when I'm driving and I think it is because of the music. Even if it isn't, just let me be the crazy pregnant lady who thinks it. :]

Almost 22 weeks

Worrying Does No Good

Worrying doesn't get anyone anywhere. It doesn't solve any problems, it doesn't make Friday get here any faster (which, by the way, is our appointment day with EVMS), and it certainly doesn't suit Hunter very well (he goes a little crazy).

With that being said, I have had a few pity parties (like, the night after the 20 week ultrasound, or the day I was sitting around the house with nothing to do). But did they make me feel any better? No. What does make me feel better? Being Hunter's mother, enjoying the pregnancy, feeling Hunter move, having Carl/family/friends remind me there is nothing to worry about, watching Carl touch/talk/kiss my belly, and knowing there are no other signs of problems. Again, I'm not worried about having a child with a disability (well, I mean, I am, but not for superficial reasons, more so being the best advocate I could be for a child with a disability), it worries me not being able to raise my child (i.e., Trisomy 18).

So, what am I doing? Not worrying anymore. We haven't had the level 2 ultrasound yet, so why should I worry? For all I know, Hunter just has cysts (which aren't uncommon, and before the machines got so high-tech, went undetected) and they may or may not go away on their own. And if they don't go away, they won't harm him in any way. I am going to just enjoy the ride with Hunter and love him unconditionally.

Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of love. - Maureen Hawkins.

20 Week Appointment

We had our 20 week appointment today. We finally met the ultrasound tech (who wasn't very friendly). I so had to pee and I thought I may pee on her with the force she was pushing down on every inch of my stomach. Little Hunter is breech for now (he doesn't want the blood rushing to his head). He is measuring on target for our due date and weighs 341 grams (or about 12 ounces). They did find two Choriod Plexus Cysts on his brain. Since there are no other risk factors (my AFP test was normal, his hands, face, back of the neck, etc. all look fine), it is more than likely an isolated CPC. Since my midwife and the OB want to be on the safe side, we will be going for a level 2 ultrasound at EVMS in the near future (they will call me tomorrow with my appointment date).

Having them tell us that we needed to go to EVMS scared/worried me/tore me up inside/etc./etc. me. They really didn't go much into detail about what it could mean, just that they wanted to be on the safe side. So Carl and I came home and did some research of our own. Of course, you see phrases like "Trisomy 18", "still born", "don't usually make it past the age of one" which really scare the crap out of you. After reading one thing, I was in the bathroom, in the fetal position, crying my eyes out. Carl, being the more practical one, continued to research and found that 1% of babies develop these cysts and they are no way harmful to the baby. If there are other risk factors for Trisomy 18 and Down Syndrome, then it can just be another sign pointing to those conditions. CPCs usually go away on their own, and even if they don't, they do not cause any mental damage or learning problems.

As I type all of this "logical" thinking, I am still worried sick. I feel like I could just go sleep in bed for the rest of the night and maybe even tomorrow. I know this won't solve anything, but I feel like I could go do that. It has only been a few hours, and at times, I don't feel like wanting to cry, but then others when I could just let the tears flow. I know Carl and I can handle anything together, whether we have a "normal", healthy baby or a baby with a disability. Whatever the prognosis of this level 2 ultrasound, it doesn't change the outcome of our pregnancy. Hunter will stay with us as long as he does; that is not our decision to make. We have a wonderful support system and we are very thankful for all the love we have been shown from our family and friends.

And, so I don't end on that drab note, Carl felt Hunter as I was typing this. I could feel him punching/kicking me, and I felt him on the outside. I had Carl push his hand hard on my stomach then let go and Hunter let him know he wasn't pleased. Apparently stress doesn't suit Hunter well, he is not liking his mother ships current emotional condition and he is letting me know.

AFP Test

My midwife called the same day we found out that Hunter was, well, Hunter about the AFP test. It was a little overshadowed by the very exciting ultrasound we had that day. Everything came back negative; negative for Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome, and whatever else it tests. It has a small false negative rate, so when we go back this coming Wednesday for the 20 week ultrasound they will also be looking for markers.

I can't believe next week we will be halfway through the 40 weeks! We had a coupon for 15% off to Babies R Us so we went and purchased our pack 'n play. Let me tell you, it is hard deciding on the "perfect" one. Especially since Carl and I have totally different tastes. I like bright, fun colors (hence our kitchen) and he likes calm, neutral colors. We ended up with the pack n' play we had originally picked out when we bought Hunter his cute outfits. We also checked out the stroller/car seat combos. Again, we like different colors, but he made some compelling arguments, and we decided on the jogging stroller/car seat combo. It is a little boring of a color, but Carl said that if he is out by himself with Hunter, he won't feel "less masculine" pushing around this stroller. We received a 20% off coupon in the mail, so we will get the stroller/car seat when that coupon goes into effect.

I'm getting Hunter's room all together (as much as I can). I finally painted the closet yesterday (we never painted any of our closets when we moved in). So I was able to wash the clothes that we do have, I just need to go buy baby hangers. And, if you know me, those hangers all have to be the same and white. Don't ask... I'm neurotic when it comes to hangers and closet organization.

What's between the legs?!

Waiting to see our baby on the big screen

We got to see our baby's profile in this picture first....

Then, she looked between the legs and I saw this (before she typed on there)...

I said out loud, "It's a boy!" There was no doubt about it. And he definitely wasn't shy about letting us know the whole time we were watching him. He even gave us a show by peeing while we were in the 3D view.

You really have to go to the very end, then rewind to tell what is going on.

The lady spent a very long time with us. The description says 10 minutes, but we spent at least 30 minutes in there, even with getting such great pictures. She had also done my sister's and Kelly's ultrasounds when they went to Prenatal Imaging. Here are some of my favorite photos of Hunter Allen Rhodes:

We had an entourage with us; my sister, Carl's sister, our niece, and Kelly.

Of course, Carl and I had to go to Babies R Us and purchase some boy outfits. :] I love his little rash guard and board shorts. He will be ready for the pool when he is born.

17.3 Week Appointment

On Friday we went for our usual doctors appointment. As promised last appointment, I did not ask my midwife to see the baby. Carl reminded me that we will be seeing the baby in 3D this coming Wednesday.

We listened to the heartbeat. Baby was exactly where I have been feeling movement. We could hear the lub-dub because she found it right over the baby's chest. Very strong heartbeat in the 140's. Which, according to old-wives-tale (as my midwife said) means it is a boy. Who knows. Although, we would find the heartbeat, and then hear the baby move away. This baby is very active! I am starting to feel him/her even more! I think I finally have Carl hooked on the boy name that I absolutely love! Fingers crossed. She said, "Oh, your belly is getting bigger!" lol. Although, I guess I gained a little more weight over the last few weeks then she would like. She said that it was okay since it was the holidays. I don't blame it on that; we were on the cruise during the holiday and really didn't eat much. We walked a TON (especially the 2 hours straight in Key West) while we were on the cruise. It was when we came back, and I didn't have work (remember, I run around with kids at work, and do b-day parties where I do even more running) for a week, and I went grocery shopping and bought, gasp, sweets. That is what did me in. Now that I'm back to my normal work schedule, and school starts back next week, the weight gain will slow down. Stupid vacation from work.

I had to get more blood drawn for the AFP test. Those ladies are so good. I didn't even feel the needle go in! It should take about a week for the results to come back. There is a fairly high false positive rating (from what I read) and if one thing is off in the calculations, then it can come back positive. I'm not going to stress it; no matter the results, it doesn't change the outcome.

Our next appointment is the Wednesday the 27th for the 20 week ultrasound.

And, like I said earlier, Wednesday we find out if this baby is a boy or a girl! I'm sooo excited! I can't wait to see this baby in 3D/4D.

17.3 weeks

-----------------------------------------------------

Went to lunch with Ashley, Devyn (you remember her.. the one I really would love to look like 39 weeks pregnant?!), and baby Ella this past week. It has been a while since I've seen Miss Ella and she has gotten so big! She just stared at us, and smiled, and took everything in. She was very good at lunch, until she got hungry. But, she did take the time out of being fussy to smile for our picture, haha.

Carl and I took Ryleigh to Naticus last weekend. Carl had never been, so he liked exploring the place as well. I ran into one of my parent/child mom's from the gym, and she said that for the younger ones, the Pirate exhibit was not very good (lots of artifacts, not a lot of play stuff), so we saved money by not going there. The walk from the garage in downtown Norfolk to Naticus was FREEZING! Ryleigh did very well and listened. She never asked me to buy anything when we were in the gift shop waiting for Carl to get our tickets. We watched a short film while we were there and she got to pet a Bearded Dragon at the end of it. She asked the lady sooo many questions: "Why him on your shirt?...What's him eat?...What him dos?...Why him nails painted? ...Why does he have to go back to his cage?...What dos him eat?" We later saw the same lady out and about in the museum, and Ryleigh proceeded to ask her what happened to the "dragon". She really liked the little boats that you can make paths for in the stream. She also pet a horseshoe crab and made a pirate map. We went to Chik-fil-a for lunch, and on the way home, she passed out in the car. I love her age because she is just so curious about everything! And she is a sponge; she remembers so much. When we went to pick her up, she asked if we were going to go over the big bridge to get to my house (which she hasn't been to in about 3 months, but she remembered we go over the High Rise to get to my house). Amazing.

Sorry there aren't more of her. These were taken with Carl's phone. I forgot my camera. :[