Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » April 2006 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Sun, Apr 30, 2006 12:00 PM
We just got back from WalkAmerica 2006. Unfortunately, we ended up not taking Evan & Aidan because it was raining when we were leaving. Then we regretted our decision all day because the weather ended up beautiful beautiful - sunshiney, blue skies with white clouds. Oh well, who would have known? We ran into Dr. Barbara Warner (head Neonatologist at Good Sam Hospital). She remembered us! Mostly she remembered Slawek and the boys, but she really enjoyed seeing our photos of the boys and catching up on their progress. She is such a sweet person. It amazes me at how many lives she has touched.

It was a very emotional day for me, especially being pregnant. Every time I saw a team wearing matching t-shirts that said (for example): "Team Turner, Walking in memory of Olivia Turner," I started crying. It was an emotional filled day for us, that's for sure. It really brings us back to reality, remembering those scary days. We are truly thankful for having our precious miracle NICU survivors and really appreciate how many people were working hard to help them survive. It was also to pay tribute to those little babies (and their families) who were lost to prematurity.

Thanks to everyone who donated on behalf of Evan and Aidan. Our hearts go out to you.

We love you!

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Sun, Apr 30, 2006 7:00 AM
WalkAmerica 2006 (March of Dimes)
http://www.walkamerica.org/personal_page.asp?w=461376

Today (Sunday) is WalkAmerica Cincinnati. Slawek, me, Evan & Aidan are walking this year (weather permitting). The walk is at 9 am at Sawyer Point. Last year it snowed, sleeted and was bitterly cold. This year we are walking together for the first time. The weather is supposed to be in the 50/60s this morning, but there is a chance of rain so we'll see. No matter what, Slawek and I are walking!

Thank you to everyone who sponsored us on our Walk. We sincerely appreciate how generous you have all been since our precious miracles arrived 11/30/04.

Have a great day!

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Fri, Apr 28, 2006 6:36 AM
21 WEEKS
Your baby measures about 7.6 inches (19cm) from crown to rump and weighs about 12.25 ounces (350g).

Eyebrows have developed.

His digestive system now functions in a rudimentary manner. Undigested amniotic fluid passes into his bowel which he will eventually excrete after birth. Your baby can suck and swallow and may even suck his thumb.

Your baby's senses are developing, especially his sense of touch. He can feel his face and stroke his arms and legs.

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Wed, Apr 26, 2006 11:15 AM
21 Week Cervical Ultrasound:
Today was my 21w cervical measurement ultrasound. Everything looks great! My cervix is actually a better-than-average length right now! It measured 4.7-5.1 cm. today. Anything >4 cm. is great. Anything <2.5 cm. is to be concerned with (a indication for pre-term labor). Dr. Brady is VERY happy with my cervical length thus far. It's hard to believe that I was ALREADY on bedrest during my previous pregnancy at this time.

Bella was as active as usual. She is head down right now, which I found hard to believe. I thought for sure she has been kicking the crap out of my bladder and cervix, but it turns out those are her hands. Her wrists/hands are actually resting on her forehead right now, and she is jabbing me with them quite regularly (7-10 times per day). Her feet are up above my belly button and angled toward my right side. She is very active. Lori checked her gender AGAIN and she is definitely all girl. It's fun to make sure, especially considering all the things we have bought for dear Izabella.

I got my 6th 17alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection and was on my way.

Until next Wednesday....

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Sun, Apr 23, 2006 8:00 PM
Happy Birthday Slawek! Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji urodzin, Slawus!! I love you!

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Fri, Apr 21, 2006 6:00 AM
20 WEEKS (1/2 WAY!)
Your baby weighs about 10.5 ounces (300g) and measures about 7.2 inches (18cm) from crown to rump. He still moves about freely in amniotic fluid.

Your baby may respond to external sounds, such as the music you are listening to or your voice.

Your baby has developed some red blood cells already. The white blood cells that your baby needs to fight infections are being manufactured.

He is developing taste buds on his tongue.

His digestive system is sufficiently advanced to absorb water and sugar from the amniotic fluid that he swallows and pass it to his large bowel.

Your baby has lanugo hair on his forehead and upper lip and his eyebrows are thickening.

Vernix (the waxy substance that covers and protects your baby's skin) accumulates on your baby's eyebrows.

Your baby's eyes are still sealed shut.

Your baby continues to grow and develop and his kicking is getting stronger now.

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Wed, Apr 19, 2006 10:00 AM
Today we had our BIG 20 week Ultrasound & Perinatology appt. Everything looks great! Bella looked just like a Ballerina! Her long, long legs were up over her head (pointed/straight legs). We couldn't believe it. She seems to like (and stay) in that position. Her mouth is by her knees/shin bone and her legs/feet are pointed like a Ballerina way over her head. It was so sweet. Slawek and I really enjoyed watching her. Our awesome sonographer, Glenna, gave us 13 beautiful ultrasound pictures of Bella (profile, face, hands, feet, legs, gender). Glenna said she is 100% all girl!

She is absolutely perfect (no open-neural tube defect, no soft markers for any type of chromosomal defect, no cleft pallat, no clubbed feet) ~ she is just as beautiful and healthy as can be! Bella's heartrate was 140 BPM, and she weighs approximately 13.5 - 14 oz.

Bella is still measuring 1 week ahead. I told Dr. Polzin (and the sonographer) that I do not want my due date changed. I know I didn't conceive on CD5 (if they move my due date up 1 week, that puts me at ovulating on CD5, which is not possible!) They agreed and said they do not change due dates at this point anyway. Not only does Bella measure 1 week ahead, but Dr. Polzin said my fundus (uterus) is measuring 1-2 weeks ahead, as well. He said it probably has to do with the fact that I had a prior pregnancy (and twins even) - so my uterus is nice and stretched from before.

My blood pressure is 100/70. My cervix measured 4.6 - 4.7 cm (excellent) and no funneling. My urinalysis looked great (no protein, etc.). I have gained the right amount of weight (notice I am not saying how many lbs. I gained - EEK). Everything is great! We couldn't be happier!

I'll scan all 13 photos tonight and post them. Woo hoo! We're half-way through the pregnancy now!

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Fri, Apr 14, 2006 12:36 PM
19 WEEKS
Your baby weighs about 9 ounces (260g) and measures about 5.6 to 6.4 inches (14 to 16cm) from crown to rump.

Her skin is thickening and developing multiple layers- the epidermis and the dermis, the deeper layer where it will form fat. Your baby is now also developing a waxy protective coating for her skin called vernix caseosa. The vernix protects your baby's skin which is continuously submersed in amniotic fluid. Vernix, which is particularly thick around the eyebrows is held in place by tiny downy hairs called lanugo.

Your baby can now grip with her fists. Toenails and scalp hair are growing.

At this point, it may be possible to determine the baby's sex by ultrasound, if the baby cooperates, but the ultrasound technician will rarely guarantee the sex based on the ultrasound results as mistakes are sometimes made at an early ultrasound.

You can hear the baby's heartbeat with a Doppler ultrasound device or a stethoscope.

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Fri, Apr 14, 2006 12:00 PM
Today, after I arrived home from having the boys' 17 month portraits taken, I noticed a package on the porch from my dear friend Laurene. I brought the package in, opened it and saw the most beautiful hand-made quilt (for Bella) that I have ever seen. I immediately started crying. I am so lucky to have such a dear, sweet friend who is so talented - and so generous to make my princess a beautiful heirloom.

I posted a picture in the photo album entitled "Gifts for Bella". Please take a peak at the exquisite quilt she made for our Bella. I will treasure it forever.

Laurene, thank you, from the very bottom of my heart. Words cannot express how much you have touched me. I love you!!

XOXOX

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Wed, Apr 12, 2006 11:30 AM
Today was another great ultrasound & cervical check. Our favorite sonographer, Donna, did my ultrasound today (Lori is on vacation). Donna is great because she spends so much time with me.

My cervix measured around 4.2 cm. It's a little less than last week, but she said it's still fabulous, so I'm not concerned. At long as I see 4 cm +, I feel okay about it.

Izabella was her normal cute lil self. She was moving around, waving, scratching her head... it's just so wonderful to get to see our Princess on a weekly basis. Donna confirmed that she is still a GIRL and gave me some nice photos (including another gender photo to add to my collection).

All in all, today was a good day. Next week is my BIG 20 week Level II anatomy scan, so we are looking forward to that. Donna said she would keep a look out for my chart, in the hopes that she can do my big ultrasound! Yippee!

I also got my 3rd 17alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection today.

I ran into Dr. Brady as I was waiting for my injection and he complimented me on my pink and black attire. He also said, "I love your handbag!" I thought it was funny that he noticed.

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Wed, Apr 5, 2006 10:00 AM
Today's weekly ultrasound was GREAT! Izabella was sooo cute. She was kicking and swimming all over the place ~ sucking her thumb, waving; VERY active today. She was arching her back and kicking Lori's ultrasound wand. Lori said, "Oh! I felt that!" Then she couldn't believe how active and hard her kicks were at just 18 weeks (on Friday). She was amazed, just like I am!

My cervix looks FABULOUS. I mentioned about my severe cramping and contracting pain that I have been having for the last few weeks. She said it's fine as long as my cervix isn't shortening. My cervix is a whopping 4.7-5.0 cm! (Last week it had shrunk to 3.6-3.7 cm, but I was having a contraction during the ultrasound). So, all is well. Bella is great, my cervix is great! I'm happy!

I also got my alpha hydroxyprogresterone shot - hopefully that keeps the contractions away.

It was a wonderful appt - much better news than last week!

Oh, and Lori confirmed gender again - It's a Girl! LOL, I'll probably have them confirm every time I go, I think. We saw the 3 bright white lines for labia VERY clearly. Lori thinks I'm funny - but hey, I need reassurance! I have spent a lot of $$ on pink frills!

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Tue, Apr 4, 2006 11:29 AM
11:29 am - Happy Birthday Carson Wesley!!
He weighs 9 lbs. 3 oz, 22" long, and was born 2 weeks early!

I'm an AUNT again! He's beautiful. He is so long and heavy - very healthy. I loved holding him and seeing him for the first time <1 hour after he was born!

Congratulations Melissa, TJ, and Cousin Richie!
Welcome to the World baby Carson!

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Mon, Apr 3, 2006 6:42 AM
Happy Bastismal Anniversary, Evan & Aidan.

1 year ago today, our little Evan and Aidan were baptized as Christ's own forever.

Congratulations little ones. We love you!

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Sun, Apr 2, 2006 8:00 PM
I felt Izabella kick from the outside tonight! It's the first time!

I was listening to Izabella's heartbeat on my doppler I have at home. She was moving around, being her very-active self! Slawek was sitting on the floor in front of me. All of a sudden we both heard a "WHOMP!" (thru the doppler) and the doppler wand bounced up! She kicked the doppler wand. About 5 seconds later, it happened again for the second time. She was kicking the doppler. Slawek heard it very loudly and saw the doppler wand move. I felt it with my hand.

Awesome! We were so excited.

We are so in love with our little Izabella!

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