Our first appointment was with the OB. Everything went well. No protein again! Of course Shelly's very happy there will be no more peeing in a bucket. Her blood pressure was fine. She gained 3 pounds but the doctor attributed this to her swelling.
After the OB we drove up the canyon to a great outdoor restaurant for lunch. We had a good time. Lots of laughs and talk about the future. Plus the drive through the canyon was gorgeous!
After lunch we had quite a bit of time left before our next appointment. So, we went to Toys R Us. My cousins baby shower is next weekend so we needed to pick up a few things for gifts. Mostly we went to get Tate a present. Her sister is due in June and I'm sure she's going to have a hard time adjusting to a new baby in the house. I wanted to get her a new baby doll and a carrier for her to take care of her baby when her Momma takes care of Talor. Check out the CUTE travel carrier we got her. She's going to love it!Next we headed to the hospital for our NST and Ultrasound.
First the NST. Again, all was well. Riley was very active and did everything she needed to. Shelly's blood pressure was great. No contractions, just some uterine irritability. Amniotic Fluid level was 19 which is right in the mid of the normal range. All was good with the NST. At this point we're feeling pretty confident heading into the Ultrasound.
Finally, the Ultrasound. The tech comes in to do her job. The minute she puts the wand on the Hygroma both Shelly and I saw what we didn't want to see. It was much bigger. We asked her to please measure it and it's approximately 1ox10x11 centimeters. On the screen it looks as big as her head, and it is. It's now as big as our sweet little girls head! Shelly starts crying and I stay stoic. The doctor comes in and looks for Hydrops of which there is none. Which is fantastic. He talks to us about the size and not to get caught up in the numbers because we're measuring a 3D object in 2D. Plus the object is soft and pliable. Depending on the angle in which you take the measurement it could be different every time. Great we get that. BUT, we've seen this at least twice a month for four months. We can tell it is much bigger and it sucks. It is SO DAMN HARD TO SEE!!!
The doctor proceeds to tell us things we already know. Riley's doing great. She's almost here. No need for another Ultrasound before she comes because she'll be here soon. They got a measurement and her growth looks to have slowed a bit. She's measuring 5 lbs 14 oz which is right on track. We can't believe she's not bigger than that.
We leave the appointment with Shelly being emotional and me still feeling pretty matter of fact. It is what it is. It won't change whether it is 8 cm or 10 cm. We're still dealing with the same thing and the size doesn't change anything. We get in the truck and neither of us feel like calling anyone to give them an update. I had to at least make on phone call to Mom. Something happened as I was talking to her. I snapped and became so damn angry! I wanted to throw my phone out the front windshield. I was so angry. And then the tears came. Shelly and I didn't say one word to each other the rest of the ride home. She thought I was angry with her. I thought she didn't want to talk. We got home and both cried and cried and cried. We were going through the whys. Why us? Why Riley? We know there are people that go through much worse. But that doesn't make what we're going through any easier.
Luckily my best friend, of over 20 years, Amy, called during my melt down and I let it loose on her. After I'd been ranting and sobbing for about 10 minutes I say, "Wait, you were calling me, what did you want to talk about?" She responds with, "I was just calling to bitch about the gas prices." It was too funny. She can ALWAYS make me laugh. Thank you Amy! I love you!!!
I then got Shelly to come sit outside and watch our four legged girls play with their ball in the back yard. They're so sweet and can always make us laugh.
Today, I'm struggling. Shelly's up and doing well. Not me, I always struggle on Wednesday's. The emotional toll of Tuesday's really takes it out of me. I just want to curl up in bed all day. Shelly's forced me to get up and at least stay in the family room with her and the girls. I'm glad she did because I'm feeling a teensy weensy better. Plus, getting how I'm feeling down on paper is very therapeutic.
I've got a lot of work email to get caught up on today so I'm going to focus on that and keep my mind busy. Tomorrow will be a new day and we'll both feel much better.
Shelly's putting our stroller together right now. It's so dang cool! See picture below. It's got a music system. We simply plug in the IPOD and the speakers funnel music to Riley. Too cool!
And last, but not least, only 17 days to go! Wow!


15 comments:
I am sorry that you had such an emotional day. You are being taken care of by realy good medical professionals ( my mom works at both U of U NICU and Primary Childrens) and I know that it will all work out!
I love the stroller!!!! it is soo cool. we just bought a new one for our 3 year old for our trips to disneyland and the Rfamily cruise next year. If i would have seen the one you guys have I would have bought it!!
GAS PRICES are horrible aren't they? I bet they are much lower in Utah.. we are at 3.33 right now in Central California
Hope the rest of the week is better for ya!!! :)
Girls I can only say that I am sorry.
I'm sorry this is happening to you. I'm sorry this is happening to Riley. I wish that I could comfort you some how and tell you that everything is going to be ok and have you believe it.
I wish that your pregnancy could have been a smooth sailing one with hormones and morning sickness and nothing more.
Every night Syd says her prayers and we pray for baby Riley. After she says, bless baby Riley she says..."Who's baby Riley?" to which I say...she's your friend in her mommies tummy remember. :)
There are a lot of prayers out there for that little pumpkin. She's going to be wonderful....and before you know it, you'll be loading Pussy Cat Dolls on your Ipod for her to rock out to on your walks :)
(((((Huge Hug)))))
P.S kiss Amy, she is a freaking crack up !
I am so sorry you guys! I have no idea what you are going through. Riley will be here so soon and she will be perfect, and you guys can start living your life again!
All the good energy, love and hugs we can muster are coming your way from our little family. We can't know what it feels like to be in your shoes, but we can hold you up from afar. The waiting is the hardest part...but it's so close now! Hang in there mommies...Riley will be here soon.
Big hugs to you all!
I'm so sorry. That's so hard to see and hear and know that there's nothing you can do right now. Hugs and white light to all three of you.
First of all, I don't even know how to respond on the stroller with a speaker system...wow. I wonder if Lois will let me get one of those....
I don't have any deeply stirring words of wisdom. We do so feel for you girls and we feel like our hearts sink too everytime the news isn't stellar.
It sounds like she's still doing very well, right?
If I lived closer, I would take you both out for a cold drink and a warm hug!
I'm sorry this is still such a roller coaster for you both. I just wish you had an easy breezy pregnancy with no worries at all. This pregnancy has been such a ride for you both. The good news is Riley has jumped every hurdle. And even though it is bigger it isn't showing shows of other dangerous markers, which is great. I have to admit I am not exactly clear on hygromas (beyond what I have read via google) but I am hoping that after Riley's birth and successful surgery (I'm thinking all positive) you can both put this behind you.
And the stoic-anger-sad cycle....I totally relate to that. It's a normal reaction. And thank goodness the two of you balance each other out...one is sad and the other is strong. And then vice versa. Such a good sign of a healthy, solid relationship.
And a music system on a stroller? Now I've seen everything....
Big big hugs. I know this is all very scary for you but I honestly believe with all my heart that everything is going to be ok. I've said it before and I will keep saying....Riley is a fighter and is she going to keep surprising you time and time again. Just you wait and see. But I know that does nothing to ease the fears in the here and now. *sigh* Know that I am thinking of you every day and sending you all the good thoughts and prayers I can.
Soon...very soon...she will be in your arms.
LET ME SING YOU A SONG: HMM, HMM (WARM UP).... I'LL BE HERE THERE FOR YOU.... SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING, SOMETHING....TOO, OO,OO, OOOOOO.:)
I LOVE YOU TOO DEE!!!
What a day for you both! Honestly--words are hard to put together in what to say but wanted you both to know that we are thinking of you both. You both are in our thoughts and prayers. We cannot wait to have Riley in your arms really soon! ((hugs))
So sorry. I don't know what else to say but you are sooo close to the end of the pregnancy and Riley has made it just fine this far. I hope it's something they can deal with easily and glad to hear that nothing else seems to be a concern. Besides, she is almost 6 lbs which is normal! Remember, her half sister was only 6 lbs, 12 ounces and we thought she'd be much bigger judging by the size of my belly! So little Riley is probably just small like her sister. ;)
You two are so strong and you'll get through this! We are all here for you, cheering you on! Riley is in the hearts and minds of so many--she's gotta be alright!!!
Your strength amazes me. I don't really have words of wisdom either except to say to remember to lean on the love you have for each other and keep your focus on holding your perfectly healthy baby real soon. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
There is a whole world of women out here hoping and praying and watching and waiting. I know this is so hard for you, and I can only hope it helps to know that all the loving vibes we can gather are being sent your way.
hugs,
jojo
i seem to always be the last one to arrive at the party...
i'm so sorry i didn't get to your post earlier. first of all, i understand your "why us" frustrations and wish i had something more enlightening to say. yet, i'm at a loss. i wish there were more i could do. riley was dealt a tough hand...yet, this experience, i believe, is proof of her amazing strength. her life will be that much more precious. i honestly cannot wait to see this little person grow and flourish. she's not even born and i already completely adore her. :)
please know i'm thinking of you and hugging you (albeit long distance) and am praying for you. yep...mikaela and i still include riley in our prayers each night. :)
hugs to you...........huge big hugs.
i can't wait until you are writing on this blog a year from now and the scary stuff is over and gone and we get to see pics of a one year old stealing your scrapbook supplies and running amok through the house.
love,
rae
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