Not Good News

Today we had our Fetal Well Being Ultrasound and the results were mixed. They confirmed that yes, she's a girl, and that at this point her heart, stomach, and structure look good. BUT, she has a Cystic Hygroma on the side of her neck which is fairly large, about 1/3 the size of her head. This means something is wrong with our little girl. It could be genetic or congenital. They also did an Amniocentesis so we can determine if it is a chromosomal abnormality or not. If it is chromosomal they are leaning towards it being Turner's Syndrome. If it's not chromosomal then they'll next conduct a Fetal Echo Cardiogram to see if there's a problem with her heart. Basically, it's not good news. We don't know anything for certain besides the fact that there is a fluid filled mass (cystic hygroma) which is an indicator that something is wrong. Worst case, our sweet baby may not survive the pregnancy. Best case, the body reabsorbs the fluid. We'll have our preliminary test results on Wednesday and definitive results the following week. Right now, we both just keep cycling through shock, denial, anger, frustration and extreme sadness. More updates to come as we know them.

It's a Girl Pictures

I'm finally posting Riley's pictures from Fetal Foto. We don't have a lot of pictures as the 3D portion didn't work well because she was so close to the placenta so I'm only posting a few. We're going back in a few months and will post more pictures then.

Spoiled Little Girl

What an amazing Christmas. Riley hasn't entered the outside world yet and already she's spoiled! There are so many people who love her already. Here's a list of everything she got so far. I say so far because I know there are still a few more things to be given from Grandma Connie and Aunt Angie. Here's the list of her loot:

• Bedding and Bedding Accessories
• Socks, socks, socks
• Beanies and more beanies
• Bath towels
• Bibs
• Diaper Genie
• Toy Box
• Adorable Lamp that matches the Toy Box
• Tummy Time Mat
• $25 Babies R Us Gift Card (Thanks Aunt Jennifer!)
• Rattles and Toys
• Onsies
• Sleepers
• Blankets
• Little Pink Sneakers (soooo cute)
• Shoes
• Cuddle Bear Woobie Holder
• Cuddly Bear
• And on and on!

What a spoiled (loved) little girl. I'll take a picture of everything and post it this week. Grandma Shanni also had a cute little stocking up for Riley. We took a picture on Steve's new digital camera. I'll get it posted as well.

We were also spoiled this year. The Phanton of the Opera was AMAZING!!! I've seen it previously in SLC but this was taking it to the next level. Just think Theatrical Production + Las Vegas Show and you can imagine what I'm talking about. We also got a new Camcorder so that we can take lots of video of Riley once she's born. We might have to start practicing with the girls (our 4-legged girls that is).

And Tate was spoiled this year as well! We went to see her Christmas morning and had a blast playing with her and her presents. She got some pretty neat stuff. We got her a pink Barbie Electric Guitar. She loved it of course. Anything with music she loves. I kind of like playing with it myself.

Back to work today. Yuck. But, at least I can get caught up and lots done while everyone is still out.

Finally, Shelly is feeling Riley more and more every day! She's an active one that's for sure!

We're Not Big Winners

We had lots of fun gambling last night but no big wins to report. We came out just $67.00 ahead and that won't pay for Riley's college. Maybe we'll get lucky today!

Tonight we're going to see Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian. The tickets are part of our Christmas gift from my Dad and Stepmom. They also gave us the CD so we can listen to it on the way home. It will be a very nice last evening in Vegas. Then we're up and out of here early in the morning for the big trek back to Utah.

Riley keeps kicking! Shelly's feeling her little twinges daily. We love that she's physically making her presence known!

We Found Riley's Bedding!

I drug Shelly all over yesterday looking for Riley's bedding. I was bound and determined not to go home empty handed. Everything was either too pink, too masculine, too cutesy. We finally found something we fell in love with at Burlington. It's called Pocket Full of Posies and is kind of classic and old fashioned. It will look great with our already sage green paint and brown toned carpet. We didn't buy the decorative hearts for the wall as we have other ideas for the walls. We also didn't get the lamp but did get everything else. Every time I look at it I just smile because I LOVE IT! I love that it's not all pink but rather more red and yellow but still sooo girly. I couldn't be happier.

And, I've decided on the spelling. It will be Riley Joe. Thanks to everyone who offered advice. I've written it out over and over and like the looks of Riley Joe the best.

We're off to the casino tonight. Hopefully we win big and can put it in a 529 college fund for Riley.

Pink, Kicks, and Names

We arrived in Vegas last night. My Dad and Stepmom had a few special surpises for us and the Little One from Santa. The got Rylie the cutest, cutest things. Lots and lots of Pink. The little pink newborn tennis shoes they got her are ADORABLE!!! We are so, so lucky and very, very blessed to have such wonderful people to love and care about us as well as our baby.

Yesterday we made the drive from SLC to Las Vegas. We made it in record time having a pregnant woman in the car. We only made two bathroom stops in 5 and 1/2 hours which I need worse than her. Too much Diet Pepsi. But all the way day down Shell kept feeling little twinges in her belly. We're pretty positive it's Rylie. So yesterday was the first day she started feeling the Little One kick. I think she was just SOOO excited to see Grandpa and Grandma and to gamble!

I'm having name dilemas. Shelly says I can spell the first and middle name any way I want. The first dilema is do we spell the middle name Joe or Jo. I'm leaning towards Joe because that is my Dad's name and it's after him. But is it too masculine? I don't know. I can't decide. The spelling of her first name I thought I had decided on a long time ago with Ryleigh. About three weeks ago I changed my mind to Rylie. Now that everyone is giving us gifts they make the tags out to Riley. I also LOVE the way that looks. I'm so picky about the spelling. So, right now, I'm sitting on Rylie or Riley. Not sure which one I'll decide on in the end. Hopefully I decide soon because I have crafty things to make for her bedroom.

We're off to do some shopping! I hope we find bedding for Rylie (or Riley's) room!

It's a GIRL!!!

Its a Girl and her name is Rylie Joe (Joe is my Dad's name).

We had our Fetal Foto appointment yesterday which was AMAZING!! We had a room full of family there with us. Shelly's Dad was so cute about it. He'd ask, "Is that a foot? We'll I'll be damned." Over and over again. He thought it was pretty amazing. Shelly's Grandma was there with us as well which was wonderful. This will be her 21st Grandchild and but this was the first time she'd been to an Ultrasound. It was such a special experience and we are very blessed to have such wonderful family that wanted to share it with us.

But, again, Rylie didn't want to fully cooperate. I think she might be a little fiesty as she never really cooperates at our Ultrasound appointments. She loves the Placenta and likes to hug it like a Yoga Ball. Because of this we couldn't get the 3D/4D to work properly. So we get to go back in a few weeks, or months, to have it done again and hope she'll cooperate. At least she was in a position where we could confirm the sex!

My Mom was with us so after the appointment we decided to grab a quick bite to eat and head to Babies R Us to purchase our first Little Girl outfit!! We ended up with three. We each picked one. I can't wait to go shopping in Vegas this week. Our goal...find her bedding!

Both Shelly and I are suffering through winter colds. I'm ok because I can take medicine to make me feel better but Shelly can't. She's pretty much miserable.

I'll post Rylie's pictures later today after Shelly can help me figure out how to open the files.