Monday, January 31, 2011

21 Weeks

We are growing nearer and nearer to the point that Gunner was delivered.  I know the next month + will be nerve-racking on both of us.  As Michele put it, "I feel like a time bomb, just waiting to go off".  The question is.... will she make it as long as she was with Gunner (25 wks), a more safe point of 28 wks, or the optimum of 36 weeks???  Each week we face is another milestone we've reached, with sights set on another week.  The next medical update we will have will be in a week.  Another u/s is scheduled for precautionary monitoring and then have the regular appt. with the ob.  We are now starting to go every 2 weeks.....keeping the Mountain Parkway busy and miles.  Appointments are starting to become normal enough now that we look forward to going, it's just another chance for us to gain more reassurance that everything is going good.  Keep the prayers coming our way for both health and traveling mercies!

Something that has been particularly interesting and a joy to do is listening to our little boy.  We have an at-home heart monitor (not sure the technical term), similar to the one the nurse uses during our visits.  We are able to listen to sound of his heartbeat and get a reading of his heart rate.  It's not something that is necessary for us to do, but it is nice to keep check on him and feel that much closer to him.  He certainly is the active one....sometimes he is pretty hard to track down with the monitor.

The naming process has really stumped us.  Being teachers makes it hard, always relating it to another child.  We want a name that isn't commonly used, possibly a G name, and to have a strong meaning.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Continued prayers for all 3 of us!

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Thinking About My 2 Boys

There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about Gunner.  Looking at babies that were born around the same time reminds me of the things Gunner would or should be doing.  Jealousy isn't something that I would characterize it with, just HARD.  The wonder about how he would smell, look, and act like all come to mind.  Even the crazy thoughts "I bet Joy would watch over him" or  "Rudy would have loved to play with him"........btw Joy and Rudy are our dogs.  I wonder.....what kinds of things he would've liked?, what kind of 1st birthday party would he have had?, what kind of cake would he have had?  With thoughts of Gunner, it's the "What would've happened".

With Baby Boy #2 it's the thoughts of wonder.  We aren't dwelling on that fact that we may face all the obstacles we have in the last year all over again...thinking more along the lines of anticipation.  Will he have Michele's feistiness or my quiet nature?  Who's hair, skin, smile will he have?  Will he be a sports fanatic or book worm?  All of it is neat to wonder about, but NONE of the above matters at all...we just want a healthy boy that we can bring home.  Michele says that he already has one of my traits, a true night owl.  I wonder if she can handle having another one in the house, hahaha.  I'm sure she'll welcome that with open arms.

I guess I'll end my continuous thoughts for the day and leave it at this?  What similarities/differences do the 2 brothers have?  Both ultrasounds were taken about the same gestational time.


Gunner





Baby Boy #2

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Our Little Boy's First Profile Pic

Ultrasound Pic taken on January 24, 2011
20 weeks gestation

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

UPDATE

Yesterday was definitely a day full of emotion.  OB appointment went very good.  BP-normal, no protein, strong heartbeat = happy mom and dad!
Then the big anticipated anatomy scan ultrasound.  There was so much speculation about what it would be...but in the end the majority was wrong and mom was right.  Gunner's going to have a little brother.  We are so happy that we are going to have another boy, as Michele said "I just feel like I'm a little boy's mom".
Although we were looking forward to finding out about the gender, our most anxious part of the day wasn't that...it was finding out that he had all the working parts.  With each little body part and organ identified I couldn't help but grin and try to glance at Michele's reaction (I needed a camera because I wanted to see both at the same time).  Most of what everyone takes for granted...we don't.  We wanted to make sure that all was okay and in working order.  He's measuring right on schedule at about 12 oz. in weight.  All the early indicators that pre-e/HELLP shows once started weren't present and that's SO IMPORTANT.  It doesn't mean that it won't happen, just that it hasn't started yet and we definitely wouldn't want it earlier than it did with Gunner.  From the early results of the scan they were able to view 4 chambers of the heart, good midline of skull, 2 functioning kidneys, bladder, cord flow from placenta, and countless other important feats.
Michele's team of doctors are amazing and very knowledgeable of her history, which gives some reassurance.  Since we are 5 weeks from the time that Gunner was delivered, keeping an eye on everything is going to be stepped up a notch.  We are going to be making the trip to Lexington every 2 weeks now.
We are hoping, praying, and thanking God each day we get a little closer to meeting our little guy.  It's a little surreal that it's happening.
As tomorrow marks the 1 year anniversary that Gunner went to be with the Lord, I can't help but think he is looking down and watching out for mom, dad, and little brother.  In some ways it seems like it was yesterday that we were setting with him in the NICU, trying to grasp that we were parents!! Now we are expecting baby #2.  You never really know what the plans are in store for ya, but I'm thankful we are on this journey together!!

Monday, January 24, 2011

It's a Boy

Just left dr. Everything looking good. Will update later with pics and more info.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Why I chose the title "Rainbow Family" for our blog

I found a meaning of rainbow baby on babycenter.com and couldn't help but think "Wow! that's us".  Here's what was said about what a rainbow baby is:
"Rainbow Babies" is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope.

19 weeks

As I sit here, I can't help but wonder what we are having.  Sure...I have the worry of wondering what may or may not happen, but I still can't help the overwhelming excitement I have for this baby.  In one week we learn if Gunner is going to have a little brother or sister.  So far, so good with the doctors appointments.  Heartbeat has been strong and Michele's health has been good.  We celebrate each day we face knowing we are another day further along in this pregnancy.
Old wives tales have been told for years, none proven to be absolute.  Not that I care whether we have a girl or boy, just a healthy one.  With much optimism that we will have a healthy baby, I researched so many clues of what to look for to key us in on what we are having.  if ...sour cravings = boy, morning sickness = girl, carrying low = boy, high heart rate = girl....all of which Michele is having, which one is right.  I guess we will find out in a week.

So many things I'd like to share, but can't seem to think of what to add first.  At least I got the blog up and running.
Any ideas, premonitions, dreams to what we are having????