The Bird

We had our follow-up Fetal Foto appointment on Tuesday. The good news is it was WONDERFUL to see our little girl. The bad news is she still wouldn't give us a good full face shot so we're going back again in a few weeks. Until then I don't have any pictures to post because they kept the CD/DVD.

Riley is SO SASSY! She was a complete wiggle worm throughout the entire appointment. She likes to keep her hand in front of her face. It was almost as if she were telling us "No sneak peaks. You'll see me when I'm ready for you to see me!"

She's definitely FEISTY! Every time they'd think we were in a good position to get good 4D images she'd move. This happened over and over. After about 20 minutes she brought her hand up to the side of her face and FLIPPED US THE BIRD for about 30 seconds! I think she'd had enough of the poking and prodding. She's totally practicing for her teenage years! After she was done flipping us off she gave us a peace sign. I think she was saying, "Peace out. I'm not cooperating anymore. Go away. We're done for now."

It was amazing to see her again. We also learned she just may be a thumb sucker. She really likes to keep her hands in front of her face. And, although we're expecting a beautiful bald baby, she did have a few little hair wisps at the back of her head.

We didn't look at the Hygroma much. Legally they're not allowed to point out medical issues. I think that it looks the same size. We'll know for sure in two weeks at our next Maternal Fetal Medicine Ultrasound. We know it won't go away but I think, based on my vast medical knowledge, that she's growing like a weed and it's staying the same.

Shelly's starting to get pretty uncomfortable. Riley's wedged herself underneath her ribs. She says she feel as if her ribs are actually bruised. I know she's totally miserable because her Mom called today with Jazz tickets to Saturday's game and she turned her down! These aren't your average tickets either. They're 5th row, center court, right behind Larry H, and come with dinner before the game and snacks at half time. I would have bet $1000 that she'd still go to a game if she was asked but no, she doesn't feel like she could sit through the entire game. Wow! This is getting serious!

28 Weeks

We're 28 weeks today!

How Riley's doing:

• Her eyebrows and eyelashes are now very noticeable!
• Hair on Riley's head is growing longer. Some babies are born with almost none at all, while others appear to be ready for their first haircut! We tend to think she's going to be a baldy.
• Eyes are completely formed now. Quite a view from inside!
• Her body is getting plump and rounded. Most of that increase is muscle tissue and bone. Fat will be added during the third trimester.
• Muscle tone is improving. Preparation for the Olympics feels like it is taking place in Mama Shelly's tummy!
• Her lungs are capable of breathing now (but she would still struggle and require medical attention if born now).
• She can recognize our voices now and will often calm to it later on!
• She weighs in now at approximately 2.2 pounds and is about 14.8 inches.

Yesterday I spent the day cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We had to prepare the house for our friend Erin's 40th birthday party. I didn't want Shelly to feel anxious about getting the house clean, plus I didn't want her to get wore out before the party, so I made her an appointment for a Maternity Massage. She loved it. Plus it gave me a chance to crank the stereo and scrub!

It was great to see friends last night we hadn't seen in awhile. Plus, many of those friends now have kids. It use to be, in all too recent years, a party meant lots of loud and intoxicated adults. Now a party consists of loud toddlers hopped up on sugar. Lots of fun! Our friends Kori & La came with their two year old twin boys, Beau and Brady. They've gotten so big! And are so cute! I think they had a great time playing with Tate.

Our other friends brought their six month old little girl Scout. She pretty much just wanted her Mommies but did LOVE playing with Tate as well.

I put the camera away early and didn't get many pictures. But we did catch Tate showing her excitement over having a party for her Mama Erin's birthday.

We thought it would be fun to snap a picture of Shelly and LB together. It's Riley and Talor's very first picture together. Shelly's 28 weeks. LB's 24 weeks.

We have our follow-up Fetal Foto appointment on Tuesday. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures to post. We didn't invite the entire tribe to go with us this time. Last time we had about 10 people with us (family and God Parents). Shortly after that we learned about Riley's complications and we think, because everyone had already seen her, it might have made it a little harder on those who were at the first appointment. I cant wait to see her face in 4D!

Cheese Please

I read a post today on Arcane Matters that made me laugh. It prompted me to post an update on Shelly's cravings. Thanks Jennifer!

Shelly has always been a simple water drinker. No soda for her. She'll mix it up now and then with OJ, V8 or Wine, but that's about it. The first month of pregnancy she started craving Coke, as in Coca-Cola. My opinion was that no soda should be consumed because it's full of lots of "bad" stuff and no "good" stuff. Of course my opinion doesn't count when it's comes to cravings. She's the prego, not me. She instead decided she WAS GOING TO HAVE HER COKE! But, only ONE a day. For the first six months she stuck to it. There were days where she would have no coke but very rarely would she have more than one.

Now that we're headed into the third trimester her cravings have gotten wackier. For example, today it was cheese. Cheese bread, cheese cake, cheese soup, cheese and crackers, etc. Anything with cheese. So, being the loving wife that I am, and since I'm working from home today, for lunch I ran out to get her a Cheese Enchilada, Cheese Quesadilla, and Cheese and Beef Taco. Why so much you ask? She doesn't eat much at any one sitting but she does like variety. She's now got enough leftovers to enjoy this cheese craving for three more days. I hope the next craving turns out to be cookies or something I love!

We Started Riley's Room

We started Riley's room today!

We HAD chosen Baby Bee Yellow. We'd cut in all of the corners and started the first coat on one of the walls and realized it was just TOO bright. We had thought it was a soft, muted yellow. NOT! So, back I went to Home Depot. This time I came home with a color called Clam Chowder. It's perfect! If any of you are familiar with Stampin' Up! colors it matches, almost exactly, So Saffron! That's great news for me as it makes it much easier for me to match colors when making paper craft decorations for her room.

Yesterday I went shopping! I bought some of the wood pieces I need for her room. The main thing I got was the wood block letters for her name. They're such a cute cut (font)! I'll hopefully be able to start painting and decorating the letters next week. Some of you may be wondering what in the world I'm talking about. Below are pictures of the BOO I did at Halloween. I'm doing the same thing with Riley's name but of course the colors won't be orange, black, green and purple.

We get our new fridge and stove tomorrow! Yippee!

27 Weeks!

We are 27 Weeks today!

Below I've posted a belly shot at 27 weeks and an update on how Riley is developing. But first, a little bit of ranting.



I think I'm going through the anger stage finally. As with all change or grief, there is always that point where you get angry. I think I hit this yesterday. Out of the blue I decided F$%K the doctors telling us we had to wait until 30 weeks. This is our pregnancy, our baby, and we've not yet been able to fully enjoy it. We both feel much better about how things are going. We both feel very positive about Riley. And we decided we're moving forward! So today, we went to Home Depot and bought the paint, bead board, and tools we need to get started on Riley's room. We're getting started! Finally!!! It's going to take a few weeks to get finished because we have a friends Birthday Party at our house this weekend, but we are moving forward. I really, really needed this.


Now, on with Riley's update:

• Riley's little brain continues its rapid growth. It's time we share music, conversation, and even books with her!
• Response to sound grows more consistent toward the end of the seventh month, when the network of nerves to the ear is complete. Riley's hearing continues to develop, she may now be able to recognize our voices.
• Her lungs continue to grow and prepare for functioning outside of the womb. Each day in the womb greatly increases survival rates!
• She also continues to take small breaths and although she's only breathing in water and not air, it's still good practice for when she's born.
• Her eyelids are now open more. She can distinguish between light and dark.
• Retinas have formed.
• She will grow over ½ inch this week alone!
• Average size is now 14.4 inches (36.6cm) and 1.9 pound (875gm).

27 Week Belly Shot:

Below is a picture of Shelly at 26 weeks. She looks so beautiful, peaceful, content, and happy I had to share.

Shop, Shop, Shop

Just in case you all weren't aware of this, I'm confirming it now, I LOVE TO SHOP! Retail Therapy is my favorite type of therapy. I've been on a spending hold lately but yesterday, I had a wonderful therapy session!

We're in the process of upgrading our home a little. We decided we needed a new refrigerator and a few things for the new bedroom set. We both, yes, Shelly went shopping, set off on a shopping adventure.

First, we went to a local boutique store called Rod Works. They specialize in iron decorative pieces. We left there with a small rustic picture for Riley's room and new door knobs for her closet doors.

Next, off to JC Penny's. It was there grand opening so they had a lot of great sales. There we picked up a new feather bed, down comforter, and sheets. Yummy! Our bed is now decadent. We slept wonderfully last night!

Finally, off to the big purchase, a new refrigerator. We'd already compared prices online and decided we'd get the fridge at Sears. We got the bottom freezer french door Kenmore Elite. I'm SO Excited! Then, we decided, what the heck, we also need a new stove! Both pieces will be delivered Wednesday! Yeah!!!

Our next big purchase is finishing the basement. We're waiting for the bid to come back from the contractor. This will give Steve a new bedroom and bathroom. I'll move my Stamp/Scrapbook/Craft room downstairs into Steve's old room. That will give us an extra bedroom/guest room/play room for Riley upstairs. Can't wait!

We're 27 weeks tomorrow! Watch out big 30 we're almost there!

I Can't Stand Your Voice Anymore

I worked from home today because my conference calls started at 7:00 am and we had a contractor coming to give us a bid on finishing the basement. Because we're wireless at home I typically work from the couch with a TV Tray serving as my makeshift desk. I get a lot done this way. I'm comfy, the dogs get to sit by me and I work, work, work. I do have a desk in the other room but I'd rather work from my couch. Anyway, that's not the point of the story.

My day consisted of 5 hours of conference calls. Three of those hours I was the chair and spent a majority of the time talking. Keep in mind, my sweet, pregnant, wife is right around the corner working in her office. When my last call finished at 4:00 she came in and said, "I can't stand your voice anymore. You've got to stop talking AND go into another room for awhile. I've heard you talking non-stop today and I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Believe it or not, I thought this was cute. She was actually laughing while saying this to me. Her hormones have gone on a rampage and today my non stop talking was the latest thing to put her over the edge. Yesterday she was extremely emotional and every little thing said to her made her cry. Something tells me I should expect this for the next three months. That's okay. I can deal with it. I just make her laugh and all is well.

Yesterday we had our appointment to check on Riley. This consists of an Ultrasound at Maternal Fetal Medicine and a review with the Perinatologist. Riley looks good. She's growing as she should and is measuring about 13-14 inches and weighs about 2 lbs. Her heartbeat was 132 bpm. There is no Hydrops which is the most important thing! Everything else, heart, stomach, brain, etc. all look good. The Cystic Hygroma is still there. It is measuring the same as it did 6 weeks ago. We asked for the measurements this time. It measures 4cm x 4cm x 2 cm and proportionally is half the size of her head. This means Riley's grown but the Hygroma hasn't. That doesn't mean it still may not grow with her as she continues to get bigger. Of course the hope is that it goes away but that is highly unlikely.

We asked if we could start getting ready since Riley seems to be doing okay. The answer was a big fat no! For those of you who have been reading my blog for awhile now you know how excited I was to start shopping, painting and getting ready. I have a list a mile long of things I want to do to prep for our new baby. Don't all new Mom's dream of this?!? I was almost counting down the minutes to the end of the first trimester in order to start the "prepping for baby" process. That lasted for about 30 days and then was put on hold. Put on hold December 29th to be exact. The Perinatologist feels we should wait and reevaluate at our next appointment on March 20th which puts us at 30 weeks. The reason for this is not that they're as concerned Riley won't survive the pregnancy but if she was born prematurely for any reason the Hygroma could complicate her medical treatment. He feels we should hold off until at least 30 weeks. Then, the next big hurdle after that, is 34 weeks. Once we get to 34 weeks the risk of complications goe way down. So, besides our weekly countdown, which are mini hurdles, the big hurdles are 30 and 34 weeks.

Speaking of mini hurdles we hit the 26 week mark on Sunday. Yeah! Here's a 26 week update:

• Riley should weigh about two pounds now (average is 1.7 pound, 760gm) and should be about 14 inches (35.6cm) in length.
• To support her growing body, the spine is getting stronger and more supple. Though no longer than the span of the average adult hand, it is now made up of 150 joints, 33 rings, and some 1,000 ligaments.
• Air sacs in her lungs form now.
• Lungs begin to secrete a greasy substance called surfactant. Without surfactant the fetal lungs would stick together and couldn't expand after she is born.
• Although they've been sealed shut for the last few months, her eyes are opening and beginning to blink this week. Depending on ethnicity, some babies will be born with blue or gray-blue eyes (which may change color in the first 6 months of life) and some will be born with brown or dark eyes.
• Retinas begin to form.
• Brain wave activity for hearing and sight begins to be detectable.
• Fetal brain scans show response to touch. If we shine a light on Shelly's abdomen, Riley would probably turn her head, which according to researchers, means her optic nerve is working.

At 16 weeks, during our 30 day "prepping for baby" phase, we went to Fetal Foto. Mainly so I could know the sex of our Little One as early as possible. The anticipation was way too much for me. At that time Riley was in love with the Placenta. She treated it like a giant Yoga ball and had herself wrapped around it bouncing and playing. Because of this, and how small the baby is at 16 weeks, the 3D imaging didn't work well. They gave us a certificate to come back once she got a little bigger and put on some baby fat. We think we're going to do this around 28 weeks. This gives us a chance to check on her in two weeks versus waiting until 30 weeks. During the Ultrasound yesterday they tried 3D but, again, our little girl was being stubborn and kept her hands in front of her face. She's so sassy! But just when we didn't think we could love her anymore we realize we in fact love her so much more!

Finally, we're still asking for prayers, well wishes, positive energy, good karma, etc. Whatever you believe in we'll take it! Anything to help our sweet baby pull through this. I know there are a lot of you out there doing just that. So, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Now that I've rambled on for awhile, I must run. Shelly and I want to watch last nights episode of Dirt. Anyone out there watching Dirt? We love it!!! Courtney Cox rocks in it!