Cesarean Section Class

Last Saturday Marc and I went to a cesarean section class at the hospital.  The first thing I learned: how to spell c-e-s-a-r-e-a-n.  It's not Ceasarean, as I had assumed.  Wasn't Ceasar birthed by c-section?  Well, that wasn't covered.  I wish you could hear the "Jaws" theme, as that is what was playing in my head as we walked into the classroom.  Marc was hoping for a model, not a LIVE one, mind you, but one he could at least open up and take guts out of.  I was feeling queasy.

So the class was mostly the nurse talking about pre-op and post-op procedures.  We were happy to learn information about newborn babies such as this:

We were not happy (and a little freaked out) at learning everything there is to know about c-sections (and yes I know this is the reason I signed us up for this class):

We got to go upstairs and look at the pre and post op area, and what the rooms look like.  This was my favorite part of the class.  We were not allowed to go into the operating room (unfortunately).

and... in case you were wondering, which I was when the nurse teaching the class rolled in the TV, we did not watch a video of a c-section.  We watched an animation of one.

(to clarify:  Jenn is having a scheduled c-section due to her last pregnancy needing to be a c-section.  It's tentatively scheduled for May 12!)

Belated 28 Week U/S Pics and News

Ok, well I figured I better get these up since *tomorrow* we have our 30 week appt... only two weeks behind!

We had a little scary news at the 28 week appointment.  At the very end of our chat with Dr. Rawson, he mentioned he wanted to do another ultrasound because there was a small echogenic area in the heart that they had been watching.  They hadn't said anything because they didn't want to worry us and thought it would shrink in size or disappear.  We did the ultrasound, and the area was still there- and at the same size.  I did my best to take a picture from my own computer screen (we've had most of the ultrasounds recorded for us), when Angie pointed out the spot with her cursor.  When you see it in motion, you can really see the four heart chambers moving, but here you can only see a dot:

We were referred to a Fetal Medicine Specialist, and got an appointment just three days later.  At this appointment, they did an extended ultrasound (it lasted 45 minutes!) and looked at *everything*.  They said she looked completely normal and that the echogenic spot was really nothing to worry about, they see it all the time.  So we haven't been worried.  Hopefully tomorrow will show some shrinkage of that little spot, if we do indeed do another ultrasound!  Anyway, little Isabella Dawn gave us some reassurance that everything was okay, she smiled at us!  It was one of the best ultrasound shots ever!!

Week 26 and a Belated Ultrasound Pic!

This is the 24 week profile pic.  We got an u/s because I asked the doctor about her positioning and he said, "hey, do you want an ultrasound?"  I was so excited, I wasn't expecting to get to see her this visit!  It's dark and she was hard to get a picture of!  She kept her feet and hands above her head the entire time.  Here, you can see her little hand!

Yesterday, one of the grandmas got to meet Jenn!  We went out for a spur-of-the-moment lunch while she was in town.  Here we are at 26 weeks!

It's a Girl!

So after months of waiting, we finally found out our baby's gender on Monday!

Here are some pics:

A sweet little profile...

Girl parts!

So there's the evidence.  For the next several years we will be surrounded by all things pink!  Also flowers, butterflies, princesses, tea parties, ladybugs... all the things little girls like.  Marc, well, he doesn't know what to think about all this, he has a hard enough time figuring out me, much less a new little girl!

I know a secret....

...and I won't tell it :)  But Carrie will shortly!

15 weeks and growing right along....

Just thought I'd pop on to say HI!  We've hit 15 weeks (officially yesterday) and all seems to be going well!  No emergency trips to the doctor & no more spotting, so I think we're over the hump :)

Our next appointment is scheduled at 16 weeks.  No u/s planned, just vitals and blood work, but our 20w is set for 12/30 :)  We will know at that time whether they are having a he or a she!!!  Any guesses????

12 Week Check-Up and Ultrasound

Last Monday we had our 12 week check-up, with a nice, long ultrasound.  Here are some peaks:

Profile: we could see baby "swallowing," or at least opening and closing its mouth!  I think this picture makes baby look like it is blowing bubbles, but really that is the umbilical cord.

Baby turned to look straight at us.  Yikes!  Looking a little alien-like here.

The 4-D pictures taken weren't as good as the ones from the previous two weeks, mainly because this was the first belly ultrasound!  Doctor said everything looked good, baby measured 12 weeks 1 day, which was actually 3 days behind, but is no concern due to growth spurts.

Here we are! 12 Weeks, 4 Days