Aloha Festival

I took the girls to the Aloha Festival over the weekend. They enjoyed eating shaved ice and making paper leis. They walked all day and felt exhausted by the time we got back home!

18 week ultrasound

My 18 week ultrasound went well!!! Mostly everything is growing just as expected. There was one minor thing. The baby has a slight issue with the development of the choroid plexus area of the brain. It really does not mean anything but coincidentally, I researched this type of abnormality before my appointment. I found it interesting. This specific area of the brain is responsible for producing fluid. It has nothing to do with the "thinking" part of the brain. Bilateral choroid plexus cysts can be a soft-indicator of a chromosomal defect called Trisomy 18. The good news is that T18 is rare and in most cases the cysts are typically resolved in the 3rd trimester and the baby is born 100% normal and healthy.

My risk for a chromosomal defect was reduced to 1 in 10,000 at my 13 week ultrasound (the lowest it can be). The hands, feet, heart, spine, and placenta look completely typical. Therefore, the "heterogeneity" in the brain is just the tissue growing and changing. My baby does not have true cysts. I will not require another ultrasound because the doctor is confident that the abnormality is completely benign.

One more thing...it's a boy for sure!

Here are some videos of the appointment:

Listen to the heart beating

Anatomical Survey Part 1 (Dr. describes brain)
Anatomical Survey Part 2 (gender and more)

16-17 weeks pregnant

I'm at a scary part in my pregnancy. Last year, I lost Cole between my 16 week check-up and my 18 week ultrasound. He was fine at 16 weeks and his heart was no longer beating when I went for a routine ultrasound 2 weeks later. I lost Cole to cytomegalovirus (CMV). My doctor described it as being struck by lightening. It's uncommon but I'm still nervously waiting for my 18 week ultrasound this month. My 16 week check was good. The baby moved so much it was difficult to get his HR for more than a few seconds! Luckily, I feel my little one kicking and rolling every night at bed time and here and there during the day.

Here is a picture of my belly at 16 weeks. I've grown in size and gained a few pounds. I don't even try to wear my regular pants anymore. Maternity pants are much more comfy.

I found a fun game online...please click HERE to guess when my baby will be born.
Last, I found a silly website that will combine 2 pictures and produce a hypothetical picture of your future baby. I'm positive that you will enjoy the laugh!

Pulling Weeds...or not

We were supposed to be pulling weeds but instead we went for a walk and enjoyed the sunshine. Sorry, Dad! We'll help you on Sunday =)

Snake

On Valentine's Day we attended a baby shower in honor of Aly & Tylar's new cousin, who is going to be born any day! Uncle Shea and Sharece have a bull snake. Tylar was very brave and wanted to hold the snake. She was facinated with his flickering tongue.

A Day at the Zoo

We spent a day at the Wildlife World Zoo with our cousins! The girls enjoyed petting the stingrays and feeding the ducks. The weather was slightly windy and cold but it was perfect because most of the animals were awake and active.

Another ultrasound

I'm exactly 13 weeks. I had a bit of an insurance snag at the ultrasound clinic but hopefully it all works out and I get my $250 back. The baby was very cooperative. The tech was nice enough to check the "goods" and print a picture. It's still too early to be 100% positive but it looks like a boy. She also did a 3-D picture for me! The nuchal space was in the range of normal so the risk of a trisomy is low. I'm very nervous about having a boy. My life is centered around two amazing little girls. I can't imagine what it will be like to have a boy. However, it's not 100% so I'm not buying anything blue just yet!