Our Little Girl

We had an appointment with the fetal medicine specialist in Jackson yesterday.  We have good news and bad news.  Her kidney size is smaller meaning some of the fluid has come off!  He thinks it is definitely a ureter problem maybe even a duplicate ureter - one functioning and one not.  Of course, we won't know the real reason until she is born, but the problem is not any worse!  Now the not so good news.  Layla has intrauterine restrictive growth.  What's that?!  Well, she is measuring at less than the 10th percentile for her gestational age.  She is barely under the 10 mark, but she is there and therefore I am now officially a high risk pregnancy.  The problem shows up in the 3rd trimester which makes sense because she measured right on track at my 26 week ultrasound.  Good thing is it's asymmetrical IUGR - her head and brain are right on track but her weight and length are not.  He doesn't think it is related to any birth defect or infection.  I have to get a biophysical profile every week to check her movements, muscle tone, heartrate and fluid amount.  As long as she scores well on the profile every week, we should be good!  If not, I will have to deliver that week - that's the scary part.  She is 2 lbs 5 ounces at 29 weeks 6 days so she isn't too far off track.  Robert and I honestly think she is just going to take after his side of the family and be a small girl.  He was under the growth charts as an infant.    Even so, no mother wants to hear that she is a high risk pregnancy.  I see my doctor on Monday to get more news.  I think we were too shocked at Dr. Perry's office to ask any questions.  I may be giving up the gym and learning to eat more but whatever it takes to help the little girl grow!  I know so many of you have been praying for Layla and we just ask you to keep on praying.  Pray that our little girl grows!!

In better news, I have proof that she is going to be like her daddy.  She looks just like him!

Things are Getting Real!

Robert and I are both starting to get a little anxious about this whole parenthood thing!  Even after being together 8 years, this whole process has brought us so much closer.  It's such an amazing journey!  We have less than 11 weeks until her due date and it's all becoming so real!!  Plus, my back hurts, my ankles hurt and I'm so hungry all the time.  It's really real.

I had my glucose tolerance test this week and passed.  We have 2 appointments this coming week - one with the specialist and one for her 4d ultrasound!  Then, I have my 30 week appointment the week after.  I should be a pro at doctor's appointments!

29 Weeks

Our next appointment with Dr. Perry is Thursday in Jackson.  He will do another anatomy scan and give us an update on her kidney.  Please keep us in your prayers!

27 Weeks

We had an ultrasound appointment this week, and everything looked good!  She had plenty of amniotic fluid and her left kindey is not any worse than it was 5 weeks ago at our appointment with Dr. Perry.  We see him again in 3 weeks and are hoping for another good report.  We seriously cannot thank our friends, family and church enough for all the thoughts and prayers!

We haven't bought anything for little girl!  Well, we ordered her furniture and bedding but nothing else.  I can't decide if we are really behind or not?!  I've heard from a few people that it's a good idea to buy a box of diapers everytime I am in Target (to spread the cost) so we started that today.  Layla officially has 2 boxes (they were on sale) of Pampers Swaddlers Newborn diapers!  I am going to get Size 1 next time.

It's been a fast and busy weekend.  We went to the Back Door Restaurant in Columbia with Brittany and Austin on Friday night.  Chrissy and I went shopping in Gulport Saturday and I got a Snoogle!  It is the best thing ever!!  Last night we had dinner with Chris and Amber and got lots of parenting advice!  Today we went to church and Target.  Now I have to pack up and head to Jackson for a week long work conference.  Ugh, I need a nap!

27 Weeks.

Closed eyes are my specialty.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:  27 Weeks

Size of Baby:  14.5 inches and 2 lbs according to Baby Bump.  She weighed 1 lb and 12 ounces at my appointment Thursday.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  11-12 pounds  

Maternity Clothes:  They actually aren't so bad!

Gender:   It's a Girl - Layla Grace Lee!

Movement:  She moves most during mid-morning, right after lunch, right after dinner and when I lay down at night.

Sleep:  My back has gotten really bad over the past few weeks.  Hopefully, my Snoogle is going to work miracles!

Cravings/Aversions:  Not really.

Emotions:  I can tell I am a little hormonal but nothing very noticeable.

What I miss:  Estancia Cabernet Sauvignon :)

Symptoms: Really just the lower back pain.

What I'm looking forward to:  Having a nursery!

3 Years & 25 Weeks

Our very spoiled, very smart, very sweet "first child" turned 3 on July 13!  I can't believe how fast 3 years went by.  I hope it doesn't happen that fast with Layla!

Happy Birthday Sugar Magnolia Lee!

I had my 24 week appointment last week.  Everything checked off fine - her heartrate was 135 and I measured perfectly!  I found out we will be going every 2 weeks until about 32 weeks and then I will be going weekly.  We will have a sonogram at least every 4 weeks.  The next one will be in a week.

25 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:  25.5 weeks. The 2nd trimester rocks!  I feel so good!

Size of Baby:  1.5 pounds and 13 1/2 inches according to Baby Center.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  10 pounds.  

Maternity Clothes:  I have made the switch especially for work clothes.  I feel like non-maternity shirts or short dresses look funny because my belly makes them shorter in the front.  Maxi dresses still work though!

Gender:   It's a Girl - Layla Grace Lee!

Movement:  She is a little mover and shaker and I love it.  It is amazing!  Robert finally felt her this week!    He was very excited about that.

Sleep:  Sleep is still good.  I get random leg cramps and some back aches.  

Cravings/Aversions:  Nothing sounds good to me except honey buns, really!  I am always starving in the mornings and then don't eat much at night.  

Emotions:  Not really.  I have been very busy with work and all my "community activities" as Robert would call them.  I think I am mentally drained.

What I miss:  Taking Nyquil?!  I've had a cold this week and would have loved to take some meds to help me out.

Symptoms: Just the random leg cramps and lower back pain.  I have been stretching really well - after the gym, before bed, and sometimes in the morning - and that helps.

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting our sweet girl in 14.5 more weeks!

24 Weeks

We offficially have a baby belly! In fact, it has doubled in size in a week!  Layla Bug is either a gymnast or a dancer, and I love it - what an amazing feeling!

Robert found out that he went to NP school with a guy whose baby had hydronephrosis so he called to get some info.  The little boy had surgery at 2 months old.  (Described in my version of medical terms) The procedure disconnected his uterer from his bladder and connected it outside his body through hole.  The fluid drained from his kidney to a bag for about six months.  After that, they connected the uterer back to the bladder and he is a healthy little boy!

22.5 weeks

24 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:  24 weeks

Size of Baby:  Approximately 1 pound (yes, pound not ounces!) and 1 foot long

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  7-8 lbs  depending on what time of the day I weigh

Maternity Clothes:  I have made the switch to maternity clothes.  Joy Joy!  Except maxi dresses - I can still wear those.

Gender:   It's a Girl - Layla Grace Lee

Movement:  She flips and turns and kicks and it's wonderful!  Robert has't been able to feel her yet, but he tries everyday - hopefully soon.

Sleep:  Sleep is still good.

Cravings/Aversions: Honey buns?!  Wierd, right?  That is not me at all!  I have been craving a honey bun for several weeks but would never buy one.  I finally broke down and bought the mini ones (at least I was trying for less calories) and Layla loves them! :)

Emotions:  Not really.

What I miss:  Diet coke and a club sandwich.  The only things I have really given up are deli meat and artificial sweetner.  Robert knows he better have a club sandwich and diet coke for me after I deliver!

Symptoms: Lower back pain.  Other than that, I feel good!

What I'm looking forward to:  Seeing her sweet face on the 4d ultrasound.

21 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along:  21 weeks and 3 days

Size of Baby:  About 10.5 inches long and 12 ounces.

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  5 lbs  

Maternity Clothes:  This week all my pants are officially too small and dresses are my new best friend.  

Gender:  It's a sweet, sweet baby girl - Layla Grace Lee!  I don't know if I have mentioned before but Robert and I have had names picked out since before we got married so at least 4 years. All of our close friends and family have been calling our "future children" by Tripp and Layla for so many years!  It's real now!!

Movement:  Oh my goodness, yes, and I love it! Layla has as much energy as her Poppa Perry - and that's a lot!

Sleep:  Sleep is still great minus the several trips to the restroom!

Cravings/Aversions: Still nothing really - how boring is that!

Emotions:  Obviously they have been a little crazy over the last few days but I don't think it had anything to do with hormones.

What I miss:  Maybe a glass of cab but other than that - nothing!

Symptoms: I am actually feeling really good and enjoying this time right now!

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting Layla Bug, but not for 18.5 more weeks, of course!

Scariest Day of our Lives

Most of you are probably wondering why I haven't updated after our 20 week ultrasound last Wednesday.  Well, we received news that our sweet baby GIRL (yes, it was confirmed we are having a baby girl!) may have some health issues.  Bascially, when we met with the doctor after our ultrasound we were told 2 things: 1) They couldn't confirm she had all 4 chambers of her heart and 2) One of her kidneys was hydronephrosis.  Seriously, why didn't anyone warn me about the 20 week ultrasound.  I thought we were just going to confirm that I could start buying pink stuff.  Needless to say, Robert and I were stunned.  It was definitely not what we expected to hear, and we had no idea how to react.  Dr. Washburne made us an appointment the following Monday to see a Fetal-Maternal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Kenneth Perry, in Jackson.  This past weekend was tough.  We were on an emotional rollercoaster that I wish no one ever had to experience.  Today was our appointment in Jackson.  To say we were a little nervous is an understatement.  Let me tell you, Dr. Perry is amazing.  He stayed in the room with us for over 1.5 hours looking at Layla on the ultrasound machine.  What an answer to our prayers -  Dr. Perry found her heart to be normal!  He confirmed she has hydronephrosis of the left kidney.  From the size of it, he doesn't think it will correct itself.  However, the right kidney is fine and producing enough urine to keep her amniotic fluid up.  Layla will have to see a pediatric urologist after she is born and most likely have a procedure done to correct the blockage. It could be as simple as putting a stint in your ureter or it could be something more complicated.  We will have an ultrasound every month to make sure she has enough amniotic fluid, that her right kidney is still working, and that her left kidney is not getting worse. We still need prayers for our little girl - and for mom and dad as we sit through each of those ultrasounds.

I want to say thank you to each and every one of our friends and family that have been praying for us over the last 5 days.  We didn't tell many people, but those that knew have been amazing.  Prayer works, y'all!  I don't usually get emotional on here, but I have to tell you what an amazing husband I have.  He didn't leave my side the past 5 days, he prayed with me, and he held it together for me even though he was just as upset inside.  He is going to be the best dad in the world - hands down.  Robert says Layla is already getting a spanking when she gets here after all the stress she has caused us - we'll see if that happens once he sees his little girl! I have a feeling we are in for a lifetime full of worry as parents. Sorry mom and dad for all the nights I came home past curfew! 

Since we found out we were expecting, I been amazed at the miracle of life.  All of the things that form in such a short time.  There is no way you can believe a baby is made except by the hand of God.  Over the past few days, I realize how much I already love something that has only been a part of me for 21 weeks.  My mom has always said that I will never know how strong love can be until I have a child.  I believe her.  We haven't even met Layla, and Robert and I are both totally in love.  I have also realized how many parents don't leave the doctors office with good news like we did.  My heart breaks for those parents and I believe I will always say a silent prayer for those when I see my healthy girl.

So that is the story of the scariest day of my life - I don't know if that day was last Wednesday or today but it was all pretty scary.  Please continue to pray for little Layla.  We cannot wait to meet our little girl once she is fully grown and ready for the world!