It's been REALLY hot for Seattle. Thankfully I've been able to avoid excess weight gain and ankle swelling, but I'm definitely having a hard time sleeping. I can't get comfortable and it's just too hot. That's really the only bad news.
My blood levels are not great, but OK for the moment. The baby is doing great! She's very active at all hours of the day and not anemic or stressed at all. We're checked each week and so far so good. I'm slowing getting exhausted from lack of sleep.
On a fun note, I spent Sunday afternoon in the garage cleaning and oiling the family antique crib. It's from approximately 1881 and I slept in it, as did many relatives before and after me. We believe it was acquired for my Great Great Grandmother in Brooklyn after her family immigrated from Paris. I'm working with my Mother and Grandmother to get the full details. After several more much needed coats of orange oil, I'll doll it up with a new mattress and the bumper & crib set my wonderful coworkers gave me last week. Now where do I put this beautiful set up? The living room will have to do, as we haven't yet cleaned out a bedroom for our new little bundle of joy.
Gene is now working at Boeing and is also working round the clock on our rec room remodel in hopes of finishing it before the baby joins us. Once finished, our office will move to the new room and we'll have an empty room ready to become a nursery. No worries about timing. We do have a bassinet in the corner of our bedroom and a car seat ready to go. Now we just need to pack our bag and we're off...
They do seem to go hand in hand. Picture this …
You’re sitting in the exam room waiting for your midwife to come in. It’s been less than a minute since the nurse left with your vitals neatly recorded. Your husband spots a new toy from across the room. He retrieves from the counter a plastic model of the female reproductive system, each individual plastic piece fitting together to form an intricate puzzle. He checks it out thoroughly in an effort to figure out where his daughter has been living for the past eight months.In an instance, the model implodes in his hands and scatters in what appears to him to be hundreds of pieces all over the floor. I immediately start laughing so hard I’m crying. He, on the other hand, is quite focused and is scrambling to gather fallopian tubes, ovaries, and a uterus from the floor. After a few moments and some searching for a missing ovary, the puzzle model in complete again. Still not laughing, he puts the model back, sits down and simply states with a smile “I just shouldn’t touch things”. This from the man who drops everything. I still cannot stop laughing. He now relaxes and joins me in completely cracking up. We slowly contain ourselves and in walks Michelle the midwife.We review our birth plan and Gene’s desire to not only cut the cord, but to actually deliver/catch his baby as she’s born. He admits his concern about dropping her and is assured that she will not let this happen. He then briefly recounts the events of the past ten minutes. Michelle is now laughing and in tears.
Now why can’t all medical office visits be this fun? Relax and enjoy the moment.
How cool is 3-D ultrasound! Here she is at approximately 4 pounds 4 ounces and 32.5 weeks gestation. Just 7.5 more weeks until her due date. We'll see how long mom can hang in there with the pinched sciatica nerve on her left side.
Spherocytosis. Hereditary Spherocytosis. After experiencing unexplained borderline anemia my entire life, I finally have a diagnosis. I only have a mild case of this blood disorder since I've never exhibited any of the full blown symptoms. That's the good news.
The sort of bad news is since I have the blood disorder, the pregnancy is taxing my blood levels and my anemia is getting worse as the pregnancy progresses. Several weeks ago my perinatologist was concerned enough to refer me to a hematologist for further evaluation. After vials of blood draws and a trip to the University of Washington for a highly specialized test, the results showed Hereditary Spherocytosis.
For the rest of the pregnancy I'll have a CBC (complete blood count) each week to check my blood levels. If my blood gets low enough, the decision may be made to give me a blood transfusion. This is to ensure the baby is getting enough oxygen through my red blood cells.
Since the disorder is hereditary, she has a 50/50 chance of inheriting it from me. Each week for the rest of the pregnancy her blood levels will be checked for anemia via a special ultrasound. No needles, no blood draws, nothing invasive. That's great! If for some reason she starts showing signs of anemia in utero, she'll simply get to be born sooner rather than later. After birth, she'll be monitored for the disorder and that's it.
So there you have it. A new word for the day. Spherocytosis.
Hello Dear Family & Friends,
In anticipation of the new and upcoming birthday of our little one, we've created this blog. We'll post photos and updates here for all to see. Check back often and do be sure to leave us a note or send an email. Enjoy!
We're all doing well. The baby is kicking all the time and slowly running out of room in her underwater world. From all the tests and ultrasounds we've had, it appears that she's happy and healthy in there. It's been a lot of fun to see my belly grow and move. Gene keeps saying that he just can't wait to meet her!
After nearly five years since his layoff, Gene will start back at Boeing on June 16. He's thrilled and is looking forward to the job change. Right now he's working diligently on the remodel of our family room. Once it's done, he'll begin on the nursery. Until then, we've got a bassinet and dresser/changing station set up in our room.
The Seattle weather has been pretty mild this spring, which is just fine with me! I only have nine more weeks to handle any summer heat that comes our way. So far my health has been terrific and we couldn't be more pleased. It seems my body is taking pregnancy quite well.
We look forward to hearing from each of you.
Gene & Kirsten
