Another prayer answered

Great news today!!! We received our results from the blood work today and the news is very good. Round two of screening lowered our risk significantly for Down Syndrome, Triosomy 18 and Neural Tube defects. Our risk for DS has went from 1 in 75 to 1 in 365....Triosomy is 1 in 888 and Neural Tube defects is 1 in 900. These odds are excellent! Our genetic counselor said this is very positive news and said everything looks very good so far. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers. Our next round of screening is on 12/1 with an ultrasound that will look for anything abnormal and scan for 'soft markers'...what does that mean, you ask? Soft markers are looking at the kidneys, bladder and brain for example - looking for anything that doesn't quite look right. It could be something like a cyst on the brain - which is a potential problem or it could be something that resolves itself before the baby is even born. That's why they are called soft markers, because they are not a sure fire indicator that anything is wrong, it just shows 'potential problems.' Step by step is how we are taking this and thanking God for every day and the good news we receive. Take care and keep the prayers coming!

Can't believe we are 4 months

Wow...we are 16 weeks and 4 days today...I can't believe I'm 4 months pregnant. I've dreamed of this, but now it's real. Patrick experienced the wrath of pregnancy hormones this week...I went from happy to grouchy and crying in about 10 minutes tops. We won't mention that he had a small role in the crying, but I know I did overreact. Wasn't quite me, but then again...nothing is quite me these days. The clothes are getting a little more snug, but I'm not giving in to maternity clothes just yet...maybe another month :) I often get asked how my sugars are doing, so for those wondering minds, they are really good. If I'm being honest, they are the best they have been in probably 5 years...it's not about me anymore! Thank you all for voting on the polls and leaving your comments, it is so humbling to read what you say and see how you vote. You know Patrick is still not happy about the diaper vote...he's got to get a reality grip on the poopy diaper thing :)

I had a blood draw yesterday for phase 2 of the genetic screening...this is for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 and Neural Tube defects. We should know the results by the end of next week. Although we want a healthy baby, we know there could be problems as there is a risk for any pregnancy. We will love this baby regardless of what challenge God may give us; however, if you can offer up special prayes for a negative result on trisomy 18, we would really appreciate it. Unfortunately, babies with this defect often don't live past the age of one year; so I hope you understand our request for those special prayers.

To leave you on a happier note, this hair poll to the right - I really want the baby to have the 'Ewing' hair...full head of dark hair. The 'Carter' babies have a history of being bald...so let's meet in the middle with some peach fuzz at least :) Lastly, our good friends from church, Jen and Andrew, are also expecting a baby and they are 4 weeks ahead of us. They just found out they are having a boy...Jen's comment was, "you need to have a girl so it is a match made in the womb"...who knows, maybe it will be a match or maybe they'll just have to be best buds! Can't wait to see! Have a great week and we'll provide more when we get our test results!

Here's the latest u/s pic...it's a little fuzzy, but we think it's beautiful! We are officially 15 weeks and 2 days today and Baby C is growing just right. Baby C's heart rate was 143 today and beating very strong. It's head measures 15 weeks/5 days, stomach was 15 w/4d and femur bone was 15w/6d...so I might grow to be tall like my Daddy. I'm already 4 inches long! It's still a little early to tell the gender, but we will probably have luck at the next appt...12/1/08! The little hands and feet were moving like crazy...I can't wait to feel the movement, they said probably another 2 weeks or so. Patrick and I are so blessed to have so many family and friends praying and thinking of us, we appreciate you all. Please keep the thoughts/prayers coming, we are just under half way there! I can't believe we are almost 4 months...that's a miracle!

Week 15

Week 15 is here. For us that means another doctors visit with ultrasound. I am looking into if I can get a certification in ultrasound technology when this is all over.

Poll update : Thank you for all who voted. It was a hard, well fought campaign and I am here to announce that Tina will.... what..... Oh, sorry. It looks like there was a recount. In a very close vote 5 out of 9 votes were for Patrick to change the first diaper.

Acceptance speech: You can smell change in the air. I first want to thank everyone who voted for me. Your support will very much be needed in this daunting task that

lays ahead. You have elected me because we need change. You have spoken with a clear voice that we do not want to continue the last 9 months. You picked the new fresh face over the more experienced candidate. I give you my word that in the first 100 days of my administration we will keep this baby clean.

Stay tuned. More updates and polls to follow.