39 Weeks

 Today marks our 39th week!  Can't say it's flying by, but I am enjoying feeling her 8 lbs moving and a shaking around in there.  We are getting to see her a lot lately, although she is too big to get good pictures!  Today we saw she has some good hair at the base of her neck.  If only ultrasounds were in color.  But then there wouldn't be the fun surprise of seeing her and having some questions answered!  She is head down, but not in any hurry still!

We went back to Hoag Hospital today for our 2nd Stress Test.  It went great today!  First we sit in a room and they monitor her heart and movements.

 I had to get over myself to post these pictures :) They straps 2 monitors to me.  One measures her heart rate and the other my contractions (which are few and weak). 

 The sound of her heart could lull me to sleep!   In the background are the monitors we can watch.

When we're not watching our girl this is our view.  Newport Beach, boats the ocean.  Not too shabby.  Hopefully this will be our view from our room after delivery!

Mr. B stays with me and we watch our girl get mad at the monitors and kick away.  

After this part we go to a different room and they do an ultrasound.  Today our technician checked her breathing, which was great.  And the best news is that in less than 2 days her amniotic fluid went from low to normal!  6.5 to 11 something (they want it above 8).  I guess rest can change things!

So now we go back in on Monday.  That's right, on the 4th of July.  That's probably good because it will force me to miss the HB 4th of July parade that I would have attempted to go to!

So more resting and drinking and we will be in the clear!

We are so blessed,  but still wondering when we will meet our girl!

38 Weeks and counting

Picture:  Dean and me at a wedding this past weekend.
Dean and I went to Doctor's appointment today and then to a stress test for baby.  She was quite the showoff during the test, kicking at the monitors until she wore herself out.  Luckily, her rate stayed where it needed to be the whole time and we passed the first round.

Then we had an ultrasound to check for amniotic fluid because it was low last Friday.  It is still low and has lowered since Friday.  I am at 6.5 and once it hits 5 they admit me to hospital.  SO... I am on couch rest :)  No exercise for me.  And I must drink it up.  I go back for more testing on Thursday.  It probably didn't help that I was at 2 outdoor events this weekend, but now I know to take it easy.  I had to hear this a couple of times because I haven't felt inclined to rest :)

Dr. says baby is quite comfy in the womb and still dilated at 1, which is practically nothing! 

Dean and I are more ready each day.  Baby clothes are washed, nursery ready, house mostly organized, bags packed (as of this morning.  I've been watching too many baby shows where moms go for tests and end up delivering). car seat in car, etc. 

Thank you for your prayers!

with love and nervousness and excitement,
Sarah and Dean

Baby Bee has a beautiful brain

The cyst was no longer present today!  We were with technician and then high risk ultrasound doctor for an hour today looking at our baby!  They could no longer find the cyst and all other markers associated with disease were not there either.  So we were told to forget about and prepare for a healthy baby!

They spend a lot of time looking at the heart, which at first caused other concern, but the doctor said he just likes to be thorough and that there were  no concerns.  We really liked both people helping us today and although we are glad to not have to go back, we were thankful for compassionate people!

So Baby Bee's cute face is right under my belly button.  She had her hand up blocking the ultrasound wand.  It is fun to know where she is for the moment!  I felt like she had moved up in the last week and I was right!  It was fun to see her movements as I felt them this time.  She is 1lb 7 ounces.  That explains all the weight gain.  I would post pictures, but we didn't receive a disk this time so we have to scan. 

So today we are counting our blessings.  I am thankful that the Lord protected us from over worry and that our prayers for a disappearing act came true!

Thank you for celebrating with us!

Monday

Monday at 1:30 will be our ultrasound with the specialist to check little girls cyst.  We are braining that if it hasn't already, that by that time it will have disappeared! 

Worry to Prayer

Today Dean and I went to our doctor's appointment.  We were expecting an easy appointment, as the others had been, but were surprised to hear the words "cyst on the brain."  My heart immediately began to race as I tried to soak in his words of comfort.  Dr. Clayton even made us repeat that there is nothing to worry about and in the 100's of ultrasounds he has reviewed in his career, nothing negative has come out it.  The cysts usually dissolve during the 3rd trimester and many adults are living now with these cysts.  It is part of the extra anxiety that can be caused by more detailed technology.

So, we are waiting for insurance to approve another ultrasound where a specialist will look at the cyst.  In the waiting we pray that the cyst will dissolve and the Lord will protect our little girl. 

"Don't worry."  Is this possible as a mom?  I have already spent much time worrying.  I usually choose to dwell in this worry before offering it to God in prayer.  I feel like I must ponder each detail and think it through before I can let it go.  I am going to challenge myself to turn my thoughts more quickly to Him!

A main way to do this is to stay away from the internet.  I decided to look at one medical website so I could know the facts and name.  It reiterates what my doctor has already said.  If you are curious, you may read below as well.

So join us in prayer for little Bee and the process of growth Dean and I will experience as parents already!

What is a choroid plexus cyst?
The choroid plexus is the area of the brain that makes the spinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal
cord. There are two of these areas in the brain, one on either side. This is not an area of the brain that is
involved in thinking.
Once in a while a cyst forms inside the choroid plexus and is called a “choroid plexus cyst” or a “CP
cyst”. Cysts can be found on one side or on both sides and they come in many different sizes.
A choroid plexus cyst does NOT cause learning problems or mental retardation and are not cancer.
Although it can be scary to hear the two words “cyst” and “brain” in the same sentence, these cysts are
not known to cause any problems for a baby.
How common are these?
Choroid plexus cysts are seen in approximately 1% (1 in 100) of all second or third trimester ultrasounds.
They usually disappear during the third trimester but they don’t always. It doesn’t make any difference if
they disappear or not. These cysts can also be found in adult brains and go unnoticed during our lifetime.
Why is this important?
If mothers have other risk factors, a choroid plexus cyst may suggest that the baby has a higher chance of
having a chromosome change such as Trisomy 18. In cases like this, more testing will be offered to you.
Trisomy 18 is a very serious medical condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome #18. Most babies
born with Trisomy 18 cannot survive long term.

Blue cake boy, Pink cake girl...

We had a party to reveal the gender of Baby Bee...

Firsts

 Mr B, Baby Bee and Me on a walk with my parents in the park.  First belly shot. 19 weeks

First drawing of Baby Bee. Amelia drew this at lunch today and said it was a picture of the baby in my belly.  I love this little girl too much.