27 week ultrasound

Sophia- she kept trying to get her fingers in her mouth. adorable.

her sweet little face. she looks so content.

+ this week was a great week. we needed a win on our side. really really needed this actually.

+ so first off- AJ talked to Sophia before the appointment and told her she needed to lay still (she is always moving so much during the ultrasound we cant get a good picture or measure her easily) and grow. she did both, she is a good girl and all ready knows to listen to her daddy. love it. she was practicing breathing (which i guess baby's do to prepare for birth, as they aren't really breathing) which made this momma so happy. i dont know why but i find such comfort in the fact she is preparing for what will be her biggest hurrdle when she arrives. it was adorable to watch. the tech told us that baby's in distress in the womb don't practice as they are conserving energy, so it is a good sign she is doing this as she must be feeling well.

+ we went into this appointment now expecting a 9 week delay... as that is what typically happens with these babies. well she defied the norms this week and has grown 3 weeks worth of growth in 3 weeks- so no bigger delay this month. still just at a 7 weeks delay, which shocked our doctors and made us a little relieved, and oh so proud of her. praise to God that he has worked on her growth this past month. yay!

+ we did have some new abnormal news-- i have excess amniotic fluid building up. which could mean a number of things- it could be- i have gestestional diabetes (we did a test yesterday to find out- will learn in a week or so if i am at risk), she isn't swallowing the regular amount of fluid that every baby does (due to some issue with swallowing or blockage), or some dwarf babies just have extra amniotic fluid in the womb (we are crossing our fingers that this is it). the extra fluid- is making my tummy look (and feel :o( )bigger than it should, and making me more uncomfortable much earlier than i should be. it also puts me at risk for pre-term labor because my uterus then thinks i am further along than i am. if i go into labor, they will stop it with meds. if it happens multiple times, they will stick a big fat needle in there and drain the excess fluid out. yikes. so i just need to take it easy and not push myself for the next few months. they also wouldn't be surprised if i start having some braxton hicks contractions soon.

+ we did get to talk with Dr Adelberg- who is going to let us get induced to deliver vaginally. which is going to be the best of both worlds. i really want to deliver vaginally- so i can recover quickly and be with sophia and aj right away, and lung wise, vaginal birth is better for babies. BUT we wanted to make sure our family can be here and meet Sophia right away and not risk them missing meeting her (in case she does pass away shortly after birth). So we will go in on Feb 7th in the pm and she will hopefully be delivered on Feb 8th. i feel such a sense of relief that this is the plan. i know things don't always go as planned and that is okay. BUT i am able to feel some sense of control in this absolutely out of control situation. it comforts me and i will be so glad our family can plan to be here.

+ i don't think i am nesting quite yet, but i am most definately feeling more encouraged and ultimately more excited about the pregnancy. i feel like those first few weeks i was angry and frustrated and very very sad. i am still sad this is happening, but feeling much more connected to her and wanting to do things to prepare for her. just in case we do get to bring her home and share our life with her. so this coming month we will be painting, setting up the nursery and getting some baby stuff. i didn't think i would want to get all kinds of baby stuff, but as of now i do and i want to feel excited. i don't want that to be ripped from me, because the pregnancy may be all the time i have to feel excited and close to her, and i want to try to enjoy that. so hopefully this will be good for me and also a way for aaron and i to connect with her together.

-prayer requests-

+ safe travel for us all as we go home to see family for Thanksgiving

+ tristen does not go into labor early (sophia needs to cook :o) longer)

+ growth and healing for Sophia

+ feeling very thankful this week- love- t

+ also- many people have asked for our address:

6968 E. Briarwood Cir.

Centennial CO 80112