Happy Birthday & Halloween :)

Cate is 1yr old today!!! Happy Bday Cate!!! 10/31/09

32 Weeks

We went to the perinatologist yesterday. Everything looked good, but the baby was not moving much. They stopped the ultrasound and did a non-stress test. The doc said everything looked okay. She still didn't move much, but her heartrate was good. The doc asked if I was feeling any contractions. I'm not. He said that it will be interesting to see how much more my uterus can stretch and that he hopes we can make it a couple more weeks. They told me to make sure to do my kick counts. The baby has been moving a lot more since the appt. Maybe she was just looking for a little attention. I go to my o.b. on Thursday for a non-stress test and back to the perinatologist on Tues, 11/3. Hopefully you won't hear from me about baby #2 till then.

I have been working on getting Cate her flu shots this week. We called all over the place yesterday about the seasonal flu shot. The only place we found that had any for her was in Blair. So we drove to Blair. It couldn't have gone any better. She was so happy on the car ride up. I was feeling so guilty for what I was about to do to her. When the nurse gave her the shot she gave me a scared look. I smiled at her and then she smiled and giggled. What a sweet girl! I guess she's already seen it all in the NICU. Tomorrow we'll do our best to make sure she gets her H1N1 shot. I'm hoping the line isn't too long. I'll be getting mine as well. Cate's birthday is Saturday. Can't believe it!

First Tooth

We went to the perinatologist bright and early yesterday morning. He wasn't giving me the best vibes when he was looking at the measurements of the baby. He looked concerned and like he was thinking a lot. He ended up saying that there was growth. The baby gained between 7 and 9 ounces. She was measuring approximately 28 weeks. He said he just hopes for us to get to 32 weeks (I am 31 weeks today), and if we make it to 32 weeks then he'll hope for 33. So, that is the perspective I have taken as well. Duke, the eternal optimist, is hoping we make it to 37 weeks (which is the farthest the dr said he would let us go). Obviously, he sent us home. He said he wants me to start seeing my o.b. every week as well. So I go see her tomorrow (Wednesday) for a non-stress test. Then I go back to the perinatologist on Monday 10/26. Every morning when I wake up and I am still pregnant I am so thankful. Every day counts for the baby, and it's one less day in the NICU.

I know that was great news, but I have some more... Cate's first tooth has broken through. I was checking her gums this morning and there was one broken through and you can see it. I guess she 's been working on it just in time for her first birthday. She's gonna need it to eat her cake. I can' believe she has a tooth. My little baby is growing up. By the way, if Cate had a cold and it wasn't just teething, she is on the mend. I hope we have more good news for you all next week. Thanks for thinking of us.

Still Pregnant at 30 Weeks

Superbaby

Sorry for being slow on the update. I am still pregnant. Woo hoo!! We went to the perinatologist on Monday. He said everything looked good for now--amniotic fluid, breathing, blood flow, etc. We go back next Monday (10/19) and he will check for growth. He said there's no hard and fast number, but he's looking for around a 7 ounce weight gain since last growth check on 10/6. We'll let you know how next Monday goes.

In the meantime, Cate seems to have caught a cold. I am praying that it doesn't get any worse or get into her chest. She has not had a cold yet. We have been so cautious with her, but I knew it would happen at some point. Thanks for checking in on us!

Growth Restricted at 29 Weeks

I know that I have to get some pictures posted of Cate. While I'm procrastinating on that, I thought I better not procrastinate on letting you know the latest on the baby. Duke and I went to see Dr. Bonebrake (the perinatologist) yesterday. We didn't get the news we had hoped for. While the baby was in the 21st percentile 3 weeks ago, she is now in the 5th percentile. As I've mentioned before, anything below the 10th percentile is considered growth restricted. Because of the size of my uterus the baby probably does not have much space to grow. So now we will be going in to see him once a week. I think I'll also be seeing my o.b. once a week starting next week. He told us that he will check for growth every two weeks and every week he will check blood flow, amniotic fluid, and do some biophysical tests. If he sees no growth or any other problems then he will have to deliver the baby. I am 29 weeks pregnant as of yesterday. We were really hoping to make it past Cate's birthday, but now we're just hoping to make it to the next week. She now weighs 2 lb, 6 oz. He said weight is important, but gestational age is more important. It's all a little scarier this time because we know more than we did last time. I'll let you know how my next appt goes--Mon, 10/12. Hopefully no more news on the baby before that. We would appreciate your prayers. Thanks!!