Week 29 and 11 Weeks to Go!

Your baby's brain is developing billions of neurons (important for later learning) at an amazing rate — no wonder her head is getting bigger now! To meet her nutritional demands — which peak this trimester — you'll need plenty of protein, vitamin C, folic acid, and iron. Her bones, in particular, are soaking up lots of calcium now, so drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, like cheese or enriched orange juice). And get enough fiber in your diet to help prevent constipation, which can lead to hemorrhoids, a common occurrence in late pregnancy. Even if your belly button was an "innie" before, it may become an "outie" now.
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Well, these weeks are now flying by. I haven't taken any photos of my belly. I keep saying I should, but I don't. Hopefully this week sometime.

I still have a rotten cold, and a bit of cough still. And today my ears are plugged up. I am trying to get healthy so I can go in and do the 3 hour Glucose Tolerance Test. I am shooting for Friday morning. My Doc wanted me to go this week, but I am not going to go unhealthy. It is my body, and my baby. I am treating it right, the previous ultrasound showed baby's growth right on track. I don't feel weird or off or anything. Just pregnant. I don't think I will have Gestational Diabetes. I think the first test has a high rate of false positives. I was sick, tired and coughing during the first test. So, the big test will wait until I feel better, and feel good about waiting around for 3 hours after fasting for 10-12 hours and 4 blood draws. Thankfully they have private room for me to hang out in. So, I don't have to sit in a chair for 3 hours. Yikes. That would suck. I remember doing that for Cameron's pregnancy. So, if it is Monday I feel good that will be the day. The results go to my Doc the next day. $ Crossing my fingers!

As for physical discomfort in pregnancy, I still feel really good. I think this is the smallest I have ever been during pregnancy. I am tired a lot, but I don't think it is pregnancy. I have 4 kids all 6 and under. They are all sick, coughing some with ear infections etc. And then Carly threw up last week. Throw in a birthday party and a husband who has been doing overtime too. I am just really busy, and that makes me feel tired.

This pregnancy has been very emotionally draining, and I feel old and tired. I know once baby is out, I will be feeling a lot better. Just being able to see the baby will make me feel better. I just want to hold him or her.

My Grannie thought of a nice middle name for a boy. That name was Wyatt. And, you know what that name means? Little Fighter. And, it sounds nice with Carter I think. Carter Wyatt. It has a nice ring to it. So, now I don't know if it will be Carter Detlef or Carter Wyatt. (That is of course if there really is a boy in here LOL) I still think that this is Caroline Mae in here.

I spent a lot of time on the weekend going though Carly and Claire's stuff. Their memory boxes/started a card bin and put stuff away. I sorted through Catie's dresser, and I sorted through the spring clothing and organized according to each girl. I had done that for Cameron and Catie awhile back. I cleaned out what I needed to do! I felt like I accomplished something. Now, I can start preparing for the baby. I only have our (Cliff and my) memory box to sort and put away and that is a really small job.

I cannot believe that tomorrow is the first day of March! That makes the arrival of baby just that much closer. March, April, May!

I just need to get this cold gone, and then I can get the test done. My next hurdle. Then I can take the next one!

Cathy
29 weeks 3 days

Nice Day Yesterday, and Good Morning so far!

Yesterday I had such a nice day. Claire turned 5 at 11:00 am. I dropped of the girls to preschool with rice krispie squares for the class to celebrate with her. I then took Cameron to the doc to get a perscription for Cameron's ear infection.

We came home. And at home my MIL took the day off and her Mom was there (Nonna B) so Catie stayed with them. MIL gave me 2 hard boiled eggs to eat and some tea for breakfast. I then whipped back to school to get Claire and Carly. We came home, opened some nice emails for Claire, listened to all of her messages from family on the phone.

I had a nice afternoon just with my 5 year old Claire. We went to Wendy's for chicken strips. Then, I took her clothes shopping and shoe shopping. Every Mom's dream with their daughter. We has so much fun together, and I really appreciated the time just with her. At the mall we also picked out 3 newborn sleepers and two onsies for the new baby. A pink one, a blue one and a green one. I did something nice for our new little one.

In the evening we had a wedding reception to go for some running friends of ours. They found love at the Running Room. It started at 7 pm. It was lovely. I actually got on the dance floor and shook my bootie, and my baby belly. I didn't think I would have that much fun! But I danced till almost 11:30 at night. Taking about 5 pee breaks and food and water breaks. I drove Cliff home...I like to call myself the PDD. Pregnant Designated Driver.

This morning Cliff left early for work, and all kids all slept in til about 7ish. Catie was up first, so I brought her in bed with me to be "cozy". It was lovely. The baby was moving all about, and I really enjoyed that.

I had a neat baby dream last night too. My first one of this baby. My Mom gave birth for me (I think that means she was trying to take away all of my pain of the pregnancy), and I went running to the hopital to find out what I had had. And the nurse says its a girl...and I run into the room and say "Caroline Mae" I love you. She was a beauty in my dream. Chubby with dark hair. I just held the baby and cried. She was everything I could imagine and more. And she was completely healthy as far as I could tell.

So, now today is Claire's Hawaii birthday party with her friends. I am excited for her. Cameron is going out with his girlfriend, and I am dropping Catie off to my parents. Carly is one of the "guests" today. Claire is so excited!

I am so pleased.

Cathy

My Doctors Appointment Yesterday

Well, I know it is not so good when my Doctor says to me "What are you doing next Tuesday?" and I ask "Why" and he says your levels for the Glucose Tolerance Test are really high. 7.8 is the cut off, and my level was at 8.7. Needless to say, I proceeded with I do not believe it. I say I want to have the 3 hour test. So, my doc will cancel that "meeting". Bleeping figures that this would happen next. Can you feel my anger? I was freaking out yesterday, crying and just losing it again. I asked my doc "How much more am I supposed to take here". I am at my limit. I have barfing kid, I have a child with an earache. I have kids with colds and coughs. I have been rather stressed myself. I have a cold and a cough. I swear my stress from the past month has raised my glucose reading. I told him I am barely surviving right now. And he hugs me, because he knows I am angry again. I cry some more. I bawl my eyes out through the whole exam. (Friggin hormones)

I know my weight was good because he didn't mention it to me. I know that he listened to the doppler a lot longer, and turned up the volume when the baby's heartbeat was galloping through the speaker. He held it up to me as I was crying and said does that sound make it any better? And I said just a little. But not really. The heartrate was 136 bpm which is the lowest heartrate of any of the kids. Anyways. We proceeded to talk. Then he says and now I have to give you a shot in the behind. Which cheek? I said I really don't care. I just want to get the H#$ out of here. I am so tired of all of this. I just want everything to be over. I am so sick of this pregnancy. I am worried that this child will not be OK. And he says I will be delivering one healthy baby in May. I said I do not believe ANYTHING anymore. He says to me I have enough faith that everything will be fine Mrs. E. So, shot is done. He said this is your last baby, and it seems that everything will be happening to you this time. I went to the front of the reception area crying. I asked for tissues. I booked my appointment for 3 weeks from now. Then I move to the 2 week circuit.

I am so confused as to what I should do. I don't know. All I know is that stress is not good for me or the baby. And last night I said some pretty horrible things to Cliff about the baby. I cannot even type what I said down, but I was very down. And now I am totally stressed out again.

My fears right now, a child with a sick kidney, a huge kid that will be breech and I will need to have a C Section. How is that for positive.

Today is supposed to be a happy day, as my darling Claire is 5 today. I will put on my brave Mom face. And remember the good times in the past. And remember all of the joys she has brought to our lives.

So, that is the story in a nutshell.

Cathy

My Doctors Appointment was cancelled today

So, I rush the kids home from picking up Cameron from school. When I get home, I check the phone, and there is a message from my Doctor's office. Dr. D is delivering a baby. My appointment has been cancelled.

So, I am rescheduled until tomorrow afternoon. The sucky thing is that I have Cliff on his way home, and now he left early for no reason. And now tomorrow he has to do it again. Thankfully I already received the ultrasound news last week. Could you imagine how stressed I would feel if I had to wait ANOTHER day to get the news about the kidney? So, I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon, and then a pedicure appointment after that. These feet need some pampering. I have to de-stress.

Try again tomorrow.

Cathy

Burned Dinner/Burnt out Mom

I have to share with you a story about last nights dinner. Or shall I say lack of dinner.

I had this great skillet lasagne recipe from my Mom, and she made it for us not too long ago. So, during the day yesterday I called my Mom and made sure I would make it right etc. So, I start the dinner, and everything is going along really well. Cliff gets home from work, and he says something is burning...well, I have a cold and I am nasally and stuffed up. He looks underneath the layers, and the meat layer is black. My dinner is ruined. My emotions run wild. I say throw the bleeping dinner out, and I run to my room whilst saying I quit, I will never make dinner again, and I am tired of being a Mom...somebody else can do it for me. I don't want to be a Mom anymore. I want to leave this all behind. I throw myself on the bed, so angry at myself for ruining this dinner that everybody was looking forward to. I layed there for awhile, but I was so angry. So in a fury, in a fury I stomp back to the kitchen, and I say to Cliff throw the da&* dinner in the garbage. I hucked a bun at Cliff which bounced off his shirt and into the open garbage...Cliff says good shot, and then I threw a lime at the window ledge and it stuck. I was even more mad.

I went to start washing the blackend skillet, and it was hopeless, so I grabbed a big garbage bag and I threw the pan out and threw it down on the floor. I didn't even have one ounce of nice left in me. I felt like an utter failure. I was angry all the way though the night, and even when I woke up this morning I was angry. Cliff said to me this morning, how are you? I said I am still angry. He said it is just dinner, and it is done. I am not worried about it. But I said it ruined my evening. I ruined the evening for everybody.

I am glad that I don't have to go back to yesterday. I am thankful for a new day. I feel bad because I was swearing and yelling so much over dinner, but really I think it was more of a letting go of all of the stress of the past months with this baby in my belly. Those hormones are wicked I tell you.

Cathy

Wanted: Dynamite Dads Contest

Cliff and his kids

(and the photo I sent with the essay)

I entered Cliff into a contest though www.todaysparent.com that was closed yesterday the 20th of February. It was posted in the December 2004 issue of Today's Parent magazine. I wanted to share my entry here with you all. I think Cliff should win! I would be so happy for him.

From the magazine:

If you've got a great dad in your life--whether he's your spouse, brother or good friend - we want to hear about him. The top 5 nominees will be photographed with their kids and featured in our June 2006 issue. Those nominees will also be entered into a draw (on April 20th, 2006) to win one Sony DVD Handcam camcorder valued at approximately $850.

So, this is what I sent into them:

Submitted by:
Cliff’s Wife
Catherine (Cathy) , 34
Canada

Nominee is:
Clifford (Cliff), 33
Dad to our 4 (soon to be 5) kids
Cameron, he is 6 (turns 7 August 3rd, 2006)
Claire, she is 4, turning 5 (February 24th 2006)
Carly, she is 3, turning 4 (August 19th, 2006)
Catie, 1 (turns 2 September 9th, 2006)
Baby Number 5 is due May 13th, 2006!

Stop the presses -- allow me introduce you to my husband Cliff, our Dynamite Dad! Cliff, who is best known as Daddy at our house, is father to our 4 children, Cameron, Claire, Carly and Catie. When baby number five arrives in May, our troops will total 5 children, all 6 and under. That alone should earn him a Medal for Father of the Year.

Cliff has two jobs, his paid position as a full-time Journeyman Electrician, and his unpaid job, father, chef, chief tickler, humourist and family treasure. Somehow he manages to support us all in his own magical and wonderful way.

When our dynamite daddy is home, be it morning, noon or the middle of the night, Cliff is the first one to pitch in. He is a pro at changing diapers, finding lost articles of clothing, reassuring a fitful child. He presides at the nightly bath ritual. He makes potty runs and gets up nights to sooth a sleepless child when they call out for their Daddy.

All that and he cooks too! He can whip up a batch of fabulous pancakes for breakfast—our Saturday morning favourite, make his famous guacamole, BBQ like a pro, makes bread in the bread machine, he even makes his own pasta, and his father-in-law raves over his beef jerky! He is a great cook. And if that weren’t enough, he does bathrooms too! All this is done without complaint.

Before Christmas during an unusual cold snap, including snow on the west coast, Cliff bundled us all off to the Christmas Tree farm to cut down the Christmas tree. So much better an experience for the kids in the snow. Why wait for the rain? That’s our Cliff.

In the evening when the kids are dressed in their jammies and are ready for bed, they fight for a place on his lap at night. They love their Daddy. And that shows on the faces of our children.

I asked the kids why their Daddy was the best; these are their responses:
Cameron: I like to watch and help Daddy with wires and tools
Claire: He likes doing puzzles with me and give me great big hugs
Carly: I love it when Daddy tucks me in at night
Catie: (Mommy has made this observation about Daddy and me) I love it when Daddy gives me a bath and then tickles me to make me laugh

The icing on the cake here is that really, if you could picture his heart you would see that it was made of pure gold. He has the biggest heart of anybody I know. It bursts with love for his family, and friends. I am so proud of my Husband Cliff. Contest or no contest, I publicly wish to express my love, gratitude and appreciation for Cliff the best dad around.

Cathy

Welcome to the 3rd Trimester aka Week 28

Well, I cannot believe I am in the home stretch. I am 28 weeks today, and there are 12 weeks to go until my due date.

This really has been the fastest pregnancy I have ever experienced. And one of the scariest ones. That is because of all of the unknown factors that we will have to come to terms with after the baby is here. I am glad that we have that appointment with the specialist on April 5th. That should answer my many unanswered questions that lurk within my cranium.

I am not ready for this pregnancy to be over really. I am finally feeling like I have some hope, and I want to enjoy every minute of this pregnancy. I think this baby will be born on Mother's day or later. I just get that feeling. I have always said that would be so neat, and I think the full moon is on the 13th of May too.

I started the first day of week 28 at the blood clinic. I had a horrible sleep, a husband who was snoring all night, and kids that were waking and coughing etc, and a bladder that kept filling. I went pee about 3 or 4 times last night. I just couldn't sleep. So, I got up this morning around 5:50 am. Showered and got ready. Grabbed some magazines, and the I POD. And drove down to the clinic. I was 2nd in line at the door. It was dark still, and oh so cold. But the sky was beautiful with bands of pink, yellow and orange. And, the nice couple in front gave me, "the visibly pregnant one" a nice "you go first". That was nice. So, out of the cold and into the nice warm building we waited.

At 7:30 am the door opened. I got right in. I drank that lovely cold and fizzy orange glucose drink. Yummy. Down the hatch in 5 mins. Not a problem. I don't actually mind it. That was my breakfast. So, I sat down, and waited my hour. It was actually quite relaxing. And then, the bloodwork for the GTT and my antibody levels because I am RH - (0 - bloodtype).

I was home by 8:40. Then Cliff left for work. I have booked myself a hair appointment for the 4th of March, and today Cliff is bringing home a box of maternity clothing from Cynthia (thank you, thank you so much).

And then Cliff and I are going to use one of our free weekends at a local hotel in Richmond to have a couple of sleep ins and a free breakfast second week in March. That we are looking forward to doing.

The last two weekends in March will be spent ripping out carpet, installing laminate and painting the room (That is Cameron's and the baby room in a great shade of green).

I am excited, and I am nesting now. I just want to be prepared and excited for this new little one to join our family. I am so curious to know if is Carter or Caroline is in there. Especially with all of these ultrasounds it would have been so easy to find out!! Especially when they are scanning right over the bum and the parts and asking if I know the sex. I keep saying "no, I do not want to know". There have been far to many surprises with this last pregnancy already. I want a beautiful surprise in May!! or if my past history of early delivery repeats itself...April sometime.

This week I have my regular doc's appointment on Wednesday. And for that appointment is the usual pee in a cup, get weighed and measured, doppler etc. And just before the appointment I need to stop in at the lab in the hospital to pick up my RhoGam shot. Then I get a needle in my but. I will also get the results from my GTT.

So rather uneventful considering I have spent since Jan 2006 worrying about this baby. That is a rather long time to worry.

So, my mindset is changing, and I am going to ENJOY and SAVOUR everything about this pregnancy, so that when this child is grown up I can share with him or her what we went though, and how much we love him or her.

Cathy

The Prayers and Well Wishes must be Working

Well, I am back from my appointment to follow up the results of my ultrsound yesterday. Our baby does not have Duodenal Atresia. At the 2nd ultrasound at 22 weeks, the tech scanned and saw several small cysts that they thought to be a "double bubble" because of the angle of the wand and the baby. It made it look like a double bubble in the stomach.

Our baby does have something called Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney.

I copied this info from something I found on the net.

Fetal multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK) is a condition that results from the malformation of the kidney during fetal development. The kidney consists of irregular cysts of varying sizes that resemble a bunch of grapes. It has no function, and nothing can be done to save this kidney. This defect generally only affects one of the kidneys, so typically the other healthy kidney will grow larger to compensate for the diseased one. Occasionally the disease affects both kidneys, which is incompatible with life, causing the fetus to be stillborn or to die shortly after birth.

Incidence of the condition
In the United States it is estimated that 1 in every 2400 live births are affected by fetal MCDK. It generally occurs at the same rate in both females and males. In approximately 50% of babies diagnosed with this disease other urological defects are found. However, the other defects can generally be corrected with surgery or by observation alone.Diagnosis of fetal multicystic dysplastic kidneyA fetal MCDK is generally diagnosed by ultrasound (sonogram) examination before birth. Evaluation of the kidneys is part of the routine ultrasound examination done by many obstetricians as part of their prenatal care around the 20th week of pregnancy.

Treatment for MCDK
Nothing can be done to treat a fetal MCDK. However, after the baby is born, the progress of the MCDK is tracked through a series of ultrasound examinations every six months to a year. It is monitored to make sure that it does not grow or develop a tumor. Most often, the MCDK will regress and disappear eventually, leaving the child with one healthy kidney. In addition to tracking the MCDK, the healthy kidney is screened for any defects such as a blockage or reflux. If there is something wrong, this allows the physicians time to intervene quickly to in order to save the functioning kidney before it worsens.

Long-term outlook
The long term outlook is generally very good for these children. It is rare for a child with MCDK to have symptoms later in life that stem from this problem.
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Anyways, my Doctor was pleased to share this information, and said this is so much better for the outcome of our baby. Thankfully the cysts are not that large, and they are only on the top part of the left kidney. And the baby's bladder appears to be normal, and my amniotic fluid surrounding baby is normal too. All good signs. Our baby is a fighter!

I am being forwarded onto a specialist at Childrens Hospital. My appointment has already been booked for April 5th at 4:00 pm. We will meet with him (he is a really good Specialist says Dr. D) he will do an ultrasound and explain more in detail about the condition, and answer any questions at that time. Thank God there are no cysts on the other kidney, as that could prove fatal to the baby, or that the baby would require a kidney transplant.

This appointment will give the specialist the information that my Doctor will need to take care of our baby after it is born. Most likely antibiotics etc. And then we will see the specialist once baby is born. And we go from there.

I have a bit of relief, and am learning that babies are not always born healthy. But in our case our baby will be virtually healthy. And that is good enough for me for now.

I have to start really bonding with this baby, and preparing for him or her now. I need to start nurturing myself, to nurture the baby. Because this baby will be joining us in 12 short weeks or so. Maybe earlier. So, I am thankful for this bit of relief, I can have a normal, routine delivery etc.

So, thank you everybody for your love and support and prayers over the past few weeks. Please continue to keep our baby in your prayers. He or she is going to be the biggest blessing in all of our lives. I am so looking forward to loving this baby. To just get past this, and grow up our family.

Truly my baby making days are over after this baby. I feel ready to move on. I am blessed 5x's over. Tears of joy and relief spill from my eyes knowing I have this extra chance to nurture another baby is truly a miracle.

Cathy
27 weeks 5 days

Nice

Children . . .

they string our joys, like jewels bright, upon the thread of years.

~Edward A. Guest

A 3rd Ultrasound Photo

This was done today at my appointment 27 weeks 4 days



The baby is lying head up, to my left side under my heart, and the bum is bottom right. The baby was quite active in the ultrasound which was nice to see. I think this baby has boy profile...only my guess. And another nice thing was that my Dad could be there and come into the room to see his newest grandchild.

The baby also made a cool "I'm strong" fist when we were watching the screen together.

Maybe telling us that everything is going to be OK.

Cathy

When it Rains it Pours I guess...

I got back from the 3rd ultrasound. Thankfully they did not see any trouble with the stomach this time.

But now they have found one kidney to be enlarged with multiple cysts on it. The baby looked great tho from what the tech and radiologist told me. I have never had a radiologist come into my exam room before, and have a look himself. That was so scary. They mentioned Cystic Kidney. That is all I could get from him. He said is that OK?...and I said not really, but that will have to do for now I guess.

So, now I get further results tomorrow at the doctors (3:20 pm) PST. A written report from the Radiologist.I ended up bawling my eyes out. And thankfully my Dad came with me. He got to see the baby tho. That was nice for him.

So, I left the room sobbing uncontrollably and gave my Dad the wave to get here now as I cannot stay here another moment. He drove me home. I will be referred on to Children's hospital next.

Stay tuned, and thank you everybody for your well wishes.

I truly appreciate the support.

Cathy
27 weeks 4 days

Quicker Results Appointment Booked

I was talking to some Mom friends of mine (one is a nurse/one had a high rish pregnancy.) They both said I should put my foot down, and ask to have the ultrasound results earlier. So, I called into Dr. D's office today and I now will have "news" good or bad in 1 week today. I have my ultrasound next Wednesday at 11, and a follow up appointment at my Doc's at 3:20 pm on the Thursday. So...I have 7 days until I find out anything. Mentally that is so much better than another 2 weeks.

So, I have a bit of relief today.

Cathy

Week 26 1 Day

Week 26 Belly Photo

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is more sensitive than before — he may now be able to hear your partner's voice as well as yours as you chat with each other. You may start to get more backaches, too, now that you're carrying so much weight up front. Are you in the midst of childbirth classes, a room redo, and other preparations now? Just make sure that you also continue to eat well and get plenty of rest.
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Well...I am 26 weeks pregnant and 1 day. This has been the slowest for me ever. It is as if time is dragging on. I just want it to speed up, so I can get the news of whether our baby will be OK, or if I have a lot more work to prepare for this baby than anticipated. I have felt very tired, emotional, and drained. I was hoping that I would feel a bit better than that. But my mood is not as dark. So, that is good. I should be at the point in the pregnancy where I start really getting ready, but I don't really see that happening now until March. I am hoping that it will be a fresh start to the pregnancy.

I have a really wonderful friend who has 5 kids, and she said you know what Cathy, your baby in there is meant to be. Whomever is in there, is already formed. He or she will be joining your family. She knows that I am a bit of a control freak (so is she) and that is the hardest part of all of this, because I cannot control what is going on inside of me. She feels no matter what this baby will bring me great joy, and will teach our family and friends many things. She also said that perhaps one day this situation I am in will help me help somebody else who will need information. She was very lovely to talk to, and she gave me a facial, and massaged my hands and gave me tea and cookies. We talked way into the wee hours of the morning. She gave me relief that things will be OK. And that I will be the right Mom for this baby. Wow, what confidence she has brought to me.

Baby is moving around quite a bit, and I feel more movement closer to my ribs, and down low. So, I think that this baby is now head down. Or, maybe head up. But, not laying across anymore. I have been getting Braxton Hicks lately too. I had a few really tight ones today. Once whilst shopping, once whilst carrying groceries up the stairs, and once again when out walking with the family. I forget how tight they can feel.

Not much to report, other than...10 days until Ultrasound, and 17 days until my follow up which will be a really busy appointment. I just want relief whether it will be good or bad. I need to have closure. Stress is not good for me, the baby or my family. It really has aged my spirit. It has made me tired. It has made me weak.

I love you little baby, and I want you to be a happy, healthy baby. Boy or Girl I could really care less about. I just want you to be healthy like your brother and 3 sisters. They are very excited to meet you, and they talk to you a lot! They also kiss my belly a lot. Catie says baby now, and pokes in my belly button. Too cute. Cameron still says you are a boy, Claire says you are a girl, and Carly wants a sister.

Cathy xo

PS. To all of my family and friends who have been emailing me, I thank you for your emails! I am so happy to have such support. I just haven't been emailing as much these days. But I do thank you all. Your comments and love and support are so welcomed.

Groundhog Day...almost the end of Week 25

It is Groundhog day alright.

All of these days feel the same. Long and tiring.

Well...I did not even take a photo for this week. I don't really want to remember this week. As it has been the hardest of all weeks for me.

I am feeling OK, but not awesome or anything. I feel OK. So, that is better than horrible way I was feeling just days ago I guess.

I am feeling this baby move a whole lot now, which is reassuring to me. This pregnancy feels much like all of the other healthy pregnancies I have had. And I reassure myself with the fact that Dr. D told me he is not worried, and for me not to worry. That is a good sign too.

And, we have no family history of anybody with diabilities so that is good too. Also, I have my age to feel happy about. I conceived when I was still 33, and will be still only 34 when we deliver this baby. So...these are the things that are going though my head the past day now.

I woke up feeling a bit more optimistic about the whole situation. Which may not even be ANY situation. Not until I get word...or maybe when the 22nd of February comes, I will have worried for 8 weeks for NOTHING. So far I have an extremely healthy baby. And I feel good also knowing there was nothing wrong at week 18. I don't have extra amniotic fluid either. So that is good. I am also glad that an ultrasound is only a SCREENING device and not a diagnosis. So...

Until they can prove otherwise this baby is healthy. And I must continue to believe that to get through the next 20 days.

I am thankful for all of the prayers and good thoughts from everybody during this waiting period.

I thank my Mom for making me dinner the other night, for my Dad for taking Cameron skating, and for his loving talks to me on the phone. I also want to thank my cousin Andrea for inviting me over, and entertaining me and my thoughts until 1 am in the morning. For my sister Amy and for Tyler for bringing me an awesome decaf butterscotch latte, and a cone of candy. And for watching Catie whist I got out to pick up my other gals from preschool. And for preparing the lunch, and doing the clean up. For my sister April for a wonderful chat last night. And for my other online friends who chat with me way into the wee hours of the middle night. For my awesome email pals who always are there for me, and constantly want to help me out. I really appreciate everything. I am very blessed with such an outpouring of love, prayers and kindness.

I know that if something is wrong with this baby, that he or she will be loved NO matter what.


Cathy