SNEAK PREVIEW

Over the weekend, R and I worked on putting together a nursery for Button! Amazingly enough, we found homes elsewhere in the house for everything that was in her room prior to us clearing it out. We assembled the crib, which took only 30 minutes, but was quite an adventure! We also painted, as you can see in the photo. The paint color is called “cowsplit”, whatever that means, but it’s a buttery yellow color. We love it!

We still have to get a dresser and/or changing table. We’re also probably going to get an armoire to store clothes and goods. We have shelves to put up and several decorative details to tend to. I’ll be out of town most of the week, so R will have to wait until I return late Thursday night to work on the rest. Look out for more photos later in the week!

SHOWIN' OFF

Tonight I made the most ridiculous necklace and I love it! The pendant measures about 1 inch long and is strung on a brown leather cord, which works well with the sepia tone image. The pendant features two different images of Button, one on the front and one on the back. It may be hard to tell from the image, but the photos are sandwiched between glass, which gives it a more finished look and protects the photo. I’m aware that it’s cheesy as heck, but that’s okay with me!

UPDATE W/ PHOTOS

R and I went back to the doctor today during my break. The sonographer did an ultrasound to measure Button and to make sure everything looks good. Everything is fine, thank heavens!

Button weighs approximately 5 lbs. 2 oz. and is measuring at about 33 weeks 1 day on average. I say "on average" because some of her parts are measuring ahead of that, some below. The sonographer took an average of the totals, which is how we came up with that number.

We have to go back in a couple of weeks for another ultrasound, which will determine whether things have evened out or if she's still growing like a weed. We'd like her to cook a little longer, but at least if she comes early, she'll be a decent size.

We got some really fantastic sonogram images! I especially like the last one because it looks like she's smiling! See?

36 WEEKS?!

R and I were supposed to go to the doctor tomorrow, but because R had some kind of conflict and because she's been having so many Braxton-Hicks contractions, we decided to go in a day early. Turns out, R is measuring at 36 WEEKS, even though R is only 31 weeks along! The nurse and the doctor both got the same measurement. We're kind of freaking out. It would be one thing if R had gained a ton of weight, but she's only put on around five pounds. Anyway, we're going back again tomorrow for an ultrasound and to have R's cervix checked and all that stuff. Look out for an update tomorrow and wish us luck!

CHILDBIRTH CLASS, DAY 1

Today, R and I went to our first childbirth class in a two-part series at the hospital where Button will be born. We were worried beforehand that the instructor would be too “granola” or that we wouldn’t feel welcome. Nothing could be further from the truth and the class was pretty good.

We watched a couple of videos (I could have done without seeing some of that!), listened to the instructor, asked questions (no one else asked any!), and even got to see the different types of equipment and devices used during labor and delivery. We did some relaxation and breathing exercises down on the floor, which was kind of wierd, mostly because I have a hard time breathing to a pattern set by someone else. Also, when we did the relaxation techniques, the instructor turned the lights off. We’d been there for five hours already and with the lights off, we both really wanted to take a nap.

We also got to tour the new family birth center, which is really nice. Labor and delivery is done right there in a private room where you stay during hospitalization. The instructor demonstrated how the equipment works, showed us the monitors, etc. We also got to see a newborn baby born just yesterday, which was kind of exciting. The nurse holding him was being really sweet with him.

Our second class is next Saturday. Then, in November, we’re attending a breastfeeding class, as well as a baby basics class. We want to be as involved and informed as possible and all of our friends who have breastfed said that the breastfeeding class really helped.

I pre-registered us with the hospital online tonight. That way, if R goes into labor it will be one less thing to worry about. Until next week, we’ll be practicing the breathing techniques to prepare for class and I’ll be massaging R’s back.

GENETICS

R’s mom, BB (her chosen grandma name), has mitochondrial myopathy, which is a neuromuscular disease caused by damage to the mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells that serve as power plants for our bodies. There are many types of mitochondrial myopathies. Some of the more common forms include Kearns-Sayre syndrome, myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers, and the MELAS syndrome of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes. Since mitochondrial myopathies are sometimes passed down genetically, R and I have been concerned about what this could mean for our little Button.

We went to an appointment with the specialist that has been working with BB to learn more about her illness and how it affects her, but also to find out what the ramifications could be for our baby. The good news is that BB has been cleared for the known genetic syndromes, the bulk of which are extremely serious. Since BB doesn’t have any of these, there is no reason to believe that anyone in R’s family does.

More good news is that we found out that the majority of mitochondrial disorders (75-80%) are autosomal recessive, so that means that both parents have to carry a copy of the defective gene. If that is the case, it would be pretty rare that anyone except BB and her four siblings could have the defect. Of BB and her siblings, each would have a 25% chance of having the defect. Even if one of the other four besides BB did, there may not be enough saturation of the genetic material to cause any symptoms. Happily BB’s offspring, as well as her siblings’ offspring, would only have a 1% chance of having the defective gene. So, it’s not 100%, but the odds are strong that there is nothing for anyone outside of BB to worry about, and as she says, we already know what her symptoms are.

In the event that it does turn out to be maternally transferred (20-25% chance), then anyone in the maternal line could have the defect. Again, not everyone would necessarily have any symptoms.

We can’t get any firm answers until BB’s gene sequencing is complete, which might be by the end of the year. At that time, we expect to know which of the above is the case, and what the specific defect is.

Overall, we came away with some good odds. As BB says, there’s no need to worry ’til we have something to worry about!

WEEK 29 UPDATES

Monday was our 29-week doctor appointment. R was running behind schedule, which put us behind with our appointment. Also, our doctor was tending to an emergency at the hospital, so we had to wait even longer. In the end, we ended up seeing one of the other doctors in the practice.

Everything still looks good. Button’s heartbeat is strong and R’s blood sugar and blood pressure are both normal. She’s still measuring about two weeks ahead — yikes! The one bit of bad news is that R has a bladder infection, which is fairly common from what Dr. L said. He gave her some antibiotics, which she’ll take for the next two weeks. No worries.

We were disappointed to not get the sonogram we thought we’d get. It looks like we’ll have to wait another two weeks until our appointment on the 23rd.

Yesterday, a package showed up at our house and a diaper bag was inside -- mystery solved! It was from none other than my very dear friend, Heather, who I’ve known since our freshman year of college. She is too sweet!

Not only did Heather surprise us with the diaper bag, we opened it to find it filled with even more goodies. There was a package of wash clothes, mittens for Button’s hands so that she doesn’t scratch herself, nighttime bath wash and lotion, and the most adorable dress with a matching sweater! We are totally thrilled. Thanks, Heather!!!

In other news...

Button isn’t even here yet and already, she is putting white hairs on my head! Seriously, I discovered this crazy one as I was getting dressed this morning and promptly pulled it out. Not only was it solid white, it was kinky! I saved it to add to Button’s baby book. haha!