12/27 Update - 39 WEEKS!!

Today's appointment went really well! My amniotic fluid level was way up at 15.4...woohoo!! I didn't expect that so I am super pumped! Baby weighed 6lb 12oz and 41st percentile...way different than last week's weight of 7lb 6oz (76th percentile)....don't worry the baby didn't lose weight, it is just very hard to get an actual weight and weekly ultrasounds can vary a lot. I have gained 20 pounds with this pregnancy which is less than my other two...w/ Audrey 33lbs and Vivi 26lbs...I am just fine with that! ;)

Dr. Ertel is on vacation this week and won't be on call until New Year's Eve....so this baby has to wait until then!! ;) Today, I was checked by the Nurse Practitioner and she said the baby's head is pretty low and I the cervix has mostly thinned. I am still at 2cm dilated. I had some major contractions on Christmas night at Kari and Mark's while celebrating with my dad, so I thought I may have dilated more than that. Oh well!! Hope this baby can hang on a few more days. I did go ahead and schedule another ultrasound and appointment for next Wednesday with Dr. Ertel, so we will see if we make it!

I actually thought my water broke after my appointment today when I handed the valet girl the ticket for my car. I said "wait a minute, I am pretty sure my water just broke". So, I went right back up to my doctor's office and was checked to make sure but it was a false alarm. I swear I did NOT pee my pants so I don't know what the heck happened.

39 Weeks

Things are getting tight and a little smooshed!! Chubby little cheeks!!

Stay tuned!!

12/20 Update - 38 weeks

After last week's check-up I had some contractions but nothing consistent. Today I was dilated to 2cm from zero last week. My fluid level was still just over 9 and it is getting harder to see baby during weekly ultrasound because of size. Baby's weight measured 7lbs 6 oz., 76th percentile (which gets harder to predict and can be off quite a bit to actual weight). Baby blinked a lot, did great practicing breathing and opened and closed mouth during the ultrasound. We couldn't tell how much hair the baby has because of the lack of fluid. We are so excited that baby is still doing well, growing and still "cooking".

Audrey giving Baby L some love!

Susan is 26 weeks pregnant!!

Audrey giving Baby Kinney some love!



12/17 update

I had another NST (non-stress test) this morning and baby's heart rate and movements were good. Yay! I have my next ultrasound and check-up on Thursday morning and will provide another update at that time.

12/13 Update

Today's appointment was better than last week since I was not sick with a stomach bug and not as dehydrated. My fluid level went back up to 9.4 which is still not super but better. I have not started dilating yet, which is fine with me because I would love to make it to January! ;) We have plans for Christmas!! However, we understand that we are not in control and just want this baby to arrive safely and healthy. I am also not experiencing any contractions at this point. 

I did another non-stress test because the baby's heart rate was a little jumpy but the test showed that this baby is just "crazy", per Dr. Ertel!! Ha! I should've said..."well, it is my baby!" Everything seemed fine so I got to go home.

At 37 weeks, Baby L is considered full-term which is awesome and makes me feel so much better about things. I will still have a weekly NST (non-stress test) and ultrasound along with my regular check. Dr. Ertel will be in the office next week but not the following (week between Christmas and New Year's). I really hope she is the one to deliver so I really want this baby to wait until she gets back the following week.

I am so thankful to be feeling great and getting a decent amount of sleep. Audrey and Vivi are getting excited...especially Audrey since she understands more about what is going on. I think they will be great helpers and super big sisters! We have baby clothes washed up and ready (the neutral ones are hanging in the nursery closet) and the carseat is ready. I know I am not as organized with #3 as I was with #1 and 2 but I am getting there. We made a trip to the baby store yesterday for some last minute items we will probably need. I have been buying diapers for a while and Grandma Cindy also gave us some so we should be good with those for now. We also have a "little brother" and "little sister" onesie in my bag which I started to pack so we are prepared either way at the hospital.

37 Week Bump

Baby L says 'hello'

12/10 Update

Not much to report today, thankfully. My non-stress test showed the baby's heart rate reacting well to every kick and movement. Yay! This is what they look for so I will provide a new update after Thursday's ultrasound and regular check-up with Dr. Ertel.

Playing at Grandma's for a few days

Grandma Cindy offered to have us for a few days so mommy could rest and get some things done at home. We had such a great time. She kept us super busy making Christmas cookies, crafts and lots of other stuff. It was so good to spend a few days with her. Vivi and I both got to sleep in her bed this time.

THANK YOU GRANDMA!!! We love you so much!

36 week update

I had another appointment today and it was yet again a scary one. I started throwing up at 4:30AM and didn't stop until 9AM right before I left for my ultrasound appointment. Thankfully I didn't get sick at the doctors office but I knew I was very dehydrated from getting sick and didn't want to miss my weekly ultrasound or postpone it. Sure enough, my amniotic fluid level was back down to 6.7.

The baby still looked great, weighing in at 6 lbs and the 57th percentile so that was a relief. The fluid level is just very concerning. My belly also grew another cm on the outside but is still 4 weeks behind. I lost one pound from last week but that is probably because I had nothing in my tummy.

I had to wait again and do a non-stress test but this time I asked Nick to leave work and come. He got there during the test and we waited forever. Thankfully, Dr. Ertel was there this time and I had a regular check-up scheduled with her after the ultrasound. She thought the fluid being lower was partly to me throwing up so many times so she sent me home with an anti-nausea prescription as well as relaxing and drinking as much as possible. If I wasn't able to keep fluids down I would have to come back and have an IV with fluids.

Thankfully, I was able to keep fluids down and didn't get sick anymore. I must've had a bug or eaten something bad? The girls were with Grandma Cindy for a few days which was already planned so that was a blessing.

I now have to start my weekly non-stress test again along with my weekly ultrasound and check-ups. Less than 4 weeks til due date now...I just pray to keep this baby inside until then. Thank you all for your continued prayers and thoughts.

Profile of baby at 36 weeks

Face at 36 weeks with eyelid closed

Update from today's appointment

I wanted to provide an update from today's ultrasound and weekly doctor check-up. I also learned what the fluid level scale is. Anything under an 8 is cause for concern and the scale goes up to 24. A couple Friday's ago I was at a 6, which is why they were very concerned and admitted me. It was up to 11 that afternoon so I got to go home on modified bed rest. Last Wednesday it was up to 16 so they were very pleased with what I had been doing to improve things....lots of water and taking it easy.

Today, the level showed a 12 but the baby grew to just over 5lbs and is now in the 58th percentile for weight. This was good news. I have also gained a couple pounds since two weeks ago which is also good. I measured 31 weeks on the outside, so I am still trending 4 weeks behind that way but Dr. Ertel was pleased that at least I had grown by two weeks since my last appointment.

I will still have weekly ulstrasounds to measure the fluid surrounding the baby and the baby's growth and will also have weekly visits with my doctor since I will be 35 weeks tomorrow. As any pregnancy progresses the placenta delivers less and less to the baby and because of the baby's cord insertion, we will continue to monitor this closely. My next appointment is Thursday of next week, when I will provide another update on progress.

I can't believe that there are only 5 short weeks left until my due date!! We are all getting very excited to meet this little one but hope it is not for around another 5 weeks. ;)

4D ultrasound pic of Baby L's face...eyes, nose, lips...amazing!!

Modified Bed Rest?!

I just wanted to provide a quick update since I am a couple months behind on posts right now. Please check back for what else has been going on during October and November. Those posts will appear below this one.

At my 21-week ultrasound, the tech found that the baby's umbilical cord is connected to the placenta on the side instead of the center...this is called marginal cord insertion. She said it was really not a concern but that I would have a couple more ultrasounds to make sure the baby is growing at the right pace and that Baby L is getting enough nutrients from the placenta. The cord being on the side could hinder the normal amount of nutrients getting to the baby. Dr. Ertel said that the majority of the time when this occurs, they don't even know about it until after they deliver the baby/placenta and say "oh, the cord was on the side". However, since they did catch this in my ultrasound we would just pay closer attention.

I had a second ultrasound the middle of October that showed the baby in the 52nd percentile for weight and very healthy...no concerns. On the outside, my belly has been measuring behind and by my 33-week appointment I was measuring 28-29 weeks...so 4-5 weeks behind. Instead of waiting another few weeks for my third ultrasound, we decided to do one the next day.

On Friday, the 16th I went in that morning for the ultrasound. My mom was off work that day so she came to stay with the girls while I went in...thank goodness. I didn't have Nick go because I have had so many appointments and don't expect him to miss work each time. My doctor does not work on Friday's either, so I wish I would've done the ultrasound the previous day after my appointment. The baby looked really good during the ultrasound but was being lazy due to the time of day (more active in the afternoon). The tech did all of her measurements and the baby's weight was in the 43rd percentile which was not the real concern. The concern was that my fluid levels in my uterus were low...a 6 on the scale (not sure what the scale is but will have to get back to you on that).

Since my doctor was not there, she was notified about everything and speaking with another doctor in the practice. They decided to give me a non-stress test to make sure the baby's heart rate was healthy while kicking, etc. I was on the monitor for about 20 minutes and Baby L did great. The doctor who had been in contact with mine had been called into an emergency surgery so the Nurse Practitioner came in instead. She didn't know why I was there and told me everything looked good and said I could go. But, the ultrasound tech saw me leaving and told me to hold on. She asked me to stay and wait in the lobby and that a different doctor wanted to see me.

Ok, getting a little worried at this point.....I mean, really worried. I wait in the lobby for about 10 minutes and get called back into the room I did my non-stress test in. By this point I am ready to cry and am freaking myself out by thinking the worst possible scenario. I texted Nick to let him know I was worried and just waited some more. After about 10 minutes which seemed like forever, the Nurse Practitioner came back in to tell me that the doctor was in with another patient but would be in soon. She also told me that I was probably going to be admitted into the hospital because the fluid level surrounding the baby was very concerning. Ok, so now I am crying and freaking out more.

Another ten minutes or so pass and Dr. Crane finally comes in. She apologizes for the wait and says the same thing the NP said. I was going to walk over to the maternity ward and be admitted for monitoring over the next 24 hours. A specialist would be in to see me and do a more in-depth ultrasound. If this ultrasound showed the same low levels of fluid, I may be having the baby VERY soon. OMG...what?!?!? We don't even have names picked out!

I called Nick right away and through my sobs tell him to come. I also called my mom to let her know what was going on and am so thankful she was home with the girls.

It was around 1pm and I was admitted and in a maternity suite. Nick showed up as soon as I got to my room and then Susan. Next Kari showed up...so nice of them to come. Around 4pm the Specialist came in (who is Tony Dungy's sister btw) to start my ultrasound. They measured everything and Kari thought the heart beating was the baby's mouth!! ha, so cute! Sorry, Kari. ;) The baby was very active during this ultrasound which showed pockets of fluid that didn't show up in my earlier ultrasound. After all things considered, my fluid level showed an 11 on the scale. This was much better and the baby's weight was 4 lbs. 14 oz. so they decided to send me home!! YAY!!!

My doctor ordered modified bed rest, a weekly non-stress test and ultrasound, and to stay close to home. I was just so happy to come home and see my girls and spend the night in my own bed. I have been drinking tons of water and trying to take it easy. Cindy came down and helped SOOOO much with the girls from Saturday through Tuesday morning. THANK YOU, CINDY!!! This allowed me to sit still a little bit more than usual, even though it is almost impossible for me to sit still. ;) She cooked and did laundry and played with the girls.

I had a non-stress test last Monday and the baby looked great again. Lots of kicks and heart rate was good. Then, I had another ultrasound on Wednesday and my fluid level was so much better at a 16 on the scale. The baby was very active again during this ultrasound so that helped to measure everything. My doctor was pleased and told me to keep up on whatever I was doing because the baby is responding well. So, I have been drinking lots of water and trying to relax a little more...which is not easy with a 2 and 4 year old!

At this point, I don't have to do weekly non-stress tests but will keep doing weekly ultrasounds. My next one is this Wednesday afternoon. I will keep you all posted. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!

Here are some ultrasound pictures of Baby L^3

10/16 ultrasound pic of face

11/21 pic of face

11/21 pic of profile

11/21 pic of foot

I am FOUR YEARS OLD!

I am four years old today!! Can you believe it? I am such a good helper and am really catching on to things now. I love to perform by singing and dancing, play using my wild imagination, share my thoughts, ask questions, ride my tri-cycle, play in the sand box, visit the animals at the zoo (especially the birds) and go to the Children's museum with my friends.

Some milestones in the past year include being fully potty trained...even at night!! Woohoo! Visiting the ER a couple of times for pneumonia. Moving up to my big girl top bunk. Sharing a room with my little sister. Going to the dentist two times. Doing daily nebulizer treatments with no resistance. Moving up to big girl "spit" toothpaste...the kind you can't swallow because it has fluoride in it. Chewing gum...on occasion. Switching to a new church that we love. Starting preschool. Making new friends. Dressing myself. No more naps....just resting time during Vivi's naps. Visiting the pulmonologist twice and being diagnosed with asthma. Finishing my first year of dance lessons and starting my second. Dancing in my first recital on the big stage in front of family and friends.

My four-year old check up went really well. I love Dr. Champley and I told his nurse he was my favorite doctor. I gave him a big hug during my appointment and he said it "made his day". They were out of flu shots so mommy is going to have to take me to a pharmacy to get one. I know I will be brave though when I have to get it. Dr. Champley said I should learn my phone number and how to use 911 next so we will be working on this.

4-year stats

Weight: 35 lbs (51st percentile)

Length: 40" (56th percentile)

BMI: 15.41 (53rd percentile)

I gained 4 pounds since my 3-year check-up and grew 1.5 inches. Dr. Champley said my BMI is wonderful because I am not too thin or too chunky but just right.

My party was a lot of fun. Since mommy was in the hospital the day before, she initially cancelled it temporarily. However, since she got to come home we still had family come. I was going to have some of my friends from school come too but we kept it small since mommy was supposed to be on bed rest. Sorry friends!

Grammy made me a butterfly cake and that was the theme. My pet butterflies hatched from their cocoons the day before my party which was perfect timing. We have four butterflies now and they are so fun to watch. We spray them with water every day and make sure they have enough sugar water to eat. Otherwise, they are really easy pets to take care of at this point.

I was very spoiled and got lots of fun presents including my favorites....a unicorn dream lite from Grandma Cindy and Stompeez slippers from Pappaw. I had been talking about wanting these things for a very long time! Now Vivi and I both have dream lites and we just think they are the greatest!

Thanks to everyone who celebrated with me and for loving me so much! I love you, too!

Enjoy the pictures...

My stompeez!!

We also celebrated Aunt Kari's birthday since hers is a couple days before mine. Happy Birthday Kari!!

Here are my butterflies!

Don't forget that if it is my birthday then it is Wrigley's birthday too. She turned 10 this year!! I love my dog!

Christmas Cookie Making

We are making it an annual tradition to make Christmas treats at Grammy's. This year, with the baby coming and lots of our family gatherings scheduled earlier than usual we had to get together to bake already! On Saturday, we baked some at home....we made gingerbread cookies and pecan tassies. On Sunday after church, we went to Grammy's and baked, decorated, ate icing and sprinkles, played and all of the other good stuff with Austin, Susan, Grammy and Kari. It was so much fun!

Helping mommy at home...Vivi just loves sitting on the counter to help now too and we both LOVE the beaters!!

I am really good at rolling and cutting out dough!

Helping decorate cookies at Grammy's. We ate LOTS of icing and emptied most of the sprinkles out on our plates. Oops! So fun!!

Photo Shoot 2012

We really wanted some professional photos of the girls at 2 and 4 years old as well as a good family picture to use for our Christmas cards. We also wanted a few belly shots so baby #3 didn't feel left out. My cousin, Nikki or "Nicole" from Nicole Howard Photography took these and did such an awesome job. She is around Wabash if anyone is interested in a GREAT photographer. Thanks Nikki!

Enjoy some of our favorites!