UAB

We have an appointment with the High Risk OB's at UAB next week. I feel very at peace with this decision. Meanwhile, little man is moving like crazy!! He is super active which makes me feel super reassured.

22 weeks and a generous ultrasound tech

The ultrasound did a few 4d pics for us with our last ultrasound. This is my favorite...

Same picture, just a little closer

More uncertainty, but, hope...

Well, unfortunately, we don't know a whole lot more than we did before we went to our appt. The specialist sort of explained the potential diagnoses to us. However, he said that there can't be a definitive diagnosis until after the baby is delivered. There were 3 diagnoses that he mentioned (one that was pretty bad, one that was pretty benign, and one that was very rare and he said he didn't suspect by our history).

He said that the baby would need testing immediately to finalize the diagnosis so that they would know what they are dealing with. This testing would need to be done somewhere where he has priveleges. Shelby is not one of those places. He recommended that I see a high risk OB. SO, that means that I have to go to change OB's and hospitals. It's not ideal, but, we'll do what we have to do. It's between Brookwood and UAB. I am going to let my current OB help me make the decision on this.

Lastly, he said that the biggest indicator of health at this point is the amount of amniotic fluid. If it remains stable, we can go to full term. If it remains stable for the next 6 weeks, we can be out of the window of needing a procedure in utero (to drain the bladder). If it drops after that, they would just give me steroids to help with lung development and go ahead and deliver the baby. Worst case scenario, the fluid level drops in the next couple of weeks, they would consider placing a shunt into the baby's bladder to create fluid (which will help with lung development).

Thank you for your prayers! Please keep them coming. I was hoping for more answers today, but, I didn't get a whole lot. But, it is reassuring that there is a possibility that it is not as bad as it seemed originally. Even though there is potential for the bad diagnosis, there is hope for a milder one.

Love,
Kelli

Firsts...

Well, over the past week and a half we have had several "firsts"...

We purchased our first official Alabama Cheerleading Uniform. Lanie Mae wanted to wear the thing out of the store...she was so excited!

Lanie Mae had her first day of Mother's Day Out/3K yesterday. She did great! She, once again, had sopping wet hair (from sweat) and dirty clothes. (the girl sweats like there is no tomorrow and plays hard). But, that is a sign that she had fun...hair dries and they have great stain products these days!

Last night at dinner she told me she read a new book called "I Love Me" (the teacher had told us that this is one of the books of the month). I should've known that would be one of the things that Lanie Mae remembered most (she's a book worm). Then, this morning, she drew a straight line and said "Mama, look, I made a 1". There are so many reasons I love that LM goes to preschool. But, her learning so much is the most rewarding!

Lastly, Lanie Mae started her Dance Class today! She kept saying she was going to the "Dancin' Cital" (dance recital). We went to her cousin's dance recital a few months back and boy has she remembered that! But, she told me that when she got there today she was going to be on stage with her friends. I had to explain that she was just going to class today. She finally got it once she got there.

Practicing before we left...

As soon as she sat down with the other girls, she spotted the mirror. She got up and did every dance move she knew while looking into the mirror. (she did this multiple times during the class and had to her sweet teacher would say "that's so good! now, sit down and I will call your name for you to have another turn in a minute". I wish I had my video camera!
She volunteered to be first in the "dance across the room".

This was super cute! They all did the choo choo around the room. As you can see, Lanie Mae is one of the smallest in the class. She has one girl who is younger than her. The rest are 3 1/2-4. But, I was pleased at how well she did. She cried when we left...which, to me, is a good sign.

And...for the first time in my life, I am truly feeling the peace that comes from prayer. I am praying, my family is praying, and my wonderful friends are praying for my sweet baby boy. Last week was terrible. I literally cried everyday. And, for some reason, I am like a new woman this week. The worry is there, but, not like it was last week. I am giving God the glory for this! We have our appointment tomorrow with the pediatric urologist. So, please continue to pray. It's working, I KNOW!

Life's trials and tribulations

God is in control of every situation. He has his big, strong, powerful & mighty hand holding mine. I should trust him in my trials. I shouldn't worry. Everything is going to be o.k. He comforts me. He cares for me and my family....

These are a few of my thoughts at this moment. Last Friday we found out that Little Boy Morton has some sort of urinary blockage. The problem that was first noticed at our 18 week ultrasound is still there and is even more apparent. My prayer was not answered in this circumstance (i prayed that on the 1st ultrasound, we just caught him at a "full" moment). This was unfortunately not the case. We were referred to a pediatric urologist at Children's/UAB with a preliminary/suspected diagnosis of Posterior Urethral Valves. My OB made it sound pretty benign. However, he called the neonatologist to ask a few questions as well as confirm who to send us to and when. The neonatologist told him that the little one would need surgery pretty soon after birth and would have either a catheter or a abdominal wall stint like thing pretty much immediately. As far as prenatal management, I will have serial ultrasounds monitoring my amniotic fluid level...which, at this time, is normal. This means that he is tee teeing some (which is good). If the fluid level decreases, it means that his kidneys are starting to be affected by this congenital defect. If that happens, we have to have a plan. For some people this is fetal surgery, other times it's delivery- It depends on the gestational age at the time. It looks like his bladder is pretty much always full which causes urine to back up into the ureters and kidneys. That's where the kidney damage comes from.

So, now we wait...We have our pediatric urologist appointment on Friday, September 11. (which I found out today is not with the original Dr. I was referred to-this is where I have to trust that God's hand is in this). I have been extremely anxious about the whole thing. I have read so that I will be educated on questions to ask the MD. Well, in that reading, I have, of course, read some pretty disturbing things. One thing that is a common thread is that this happens to only boys and it happens in 1/8000 births. 1/3 of these kids end up with end stage kidney disease b/c of the kidney damage. I have read multiple stories of kidney removal/ transplant related to this problem. Needless to say, I'm ready to talk to the specialist. I have met a girl through a friend from church whose son had the same problem. They underwent fetal surgery at 24 weeks and kidney removal at age 2. But, she says now, a kindergartener, is doing fine.

Some of my worries, which to some may seem petty, are will I be able to deliver at the hospital where I have been receiving care? (which is where I also work), WILL MY BABY BE ABLE TO BE WITH ME IN THE HOSPITAL OR WILL HE BE IN NICU?, Will I be able to nurse my baby, will he have to have that awful abdominal wall stint thing?, is he hurting inside me with his bladder being constantly distended?, will he be one of the ones that has to undergo kidney removal or transplant?, will I make it to full term?, will he have to have fetal surgery?...

These are just to name a few.

I know that he could have a much worse problem. I know that I shouldn't read internet articles (which i have read mostly medical journal articles), I know that there is nothing I can do about it at this time. This is what I have heard from people (mostly family members). I know these things. But, how can I not worry? What I need is PRAYER, LOTS OF PRAYER. Prayer for this sweet little innocent baby boy, Prayer for this weak and weary mama who can't help but think of all of the possibilities, prayer for Lanie Mae who will, no doubt, be affected in some way by this. She has already seen me crying and doesn't understand why.

Here is a picture of me at 22 weeks/ 3 days...

Perfect little pearly whites...

Lanie Mae went to the dentist for the first time this morning. We have been talking about it for a week or so. At first, she wasn't too excited about it. But, the more we talked about it, she became o.k. with the idea. I told her they would count and tickle her teeth. I told her they may even give her a prize.

So, we woke up this morning and who is a nervous wreck?? NO, not Mae Mae, ME. She's actually excited about going. We get there and I have sweaty palms (all the while trying to act like I am as cool as a cucumber). Lanie Mae is a little stand-offish. So, I'm thinking, "this is going to be disasterous". Well, a few minutes later, the hygienist calls us back and Lanie Mae walks with her like a big girl and talks to her all the way back to the exam room. She did GREAT! She acted like it was no big deal at all. She chuckled while Ms. Christy polished her teeth. She opened wide for Dr. Mike. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I was a dorky Mom & took pictures the whole time. I actually teared up out of pride (i know, i'm a dork!) But, I was so excited to see her do so well. The dentist said she has "textbook teeth". So, I couldn't be any happier! Oh, and to top it off... I told LM she could get a prize at the store. She chose a 3 cent piece of bubble gum (that's my girl! no $10 doll for her...it's the simple things in life!) Here are a few pics...

Growing large with the unnamed Morton boy

Well, I am slowly growing out of all of my regular clothes. Maternity pants are still a little big. And, to be honest, I haven't found any that are very flattering. Even my jeans from my last pregnancy are not flattering AT ALL. So, I'm still hanging on to my favorite regular jeans...but, I have broken 2 rubber bands in the process....maybe it's time to give it up :) I am loving all of the knit dresses. They have been a lifesaver. O.k., so this is a boring topic, i know. But, if you have any suggestions on flattering maternity jeans, let me know.

The name game is going NOWHERE! Neil is not into talking about it...it's all I want to talk about. We waited and names Lanie Mae on the day she was born. Can I tell you how boring and not fun that was?? So, I am really ready for this little man to have a name. I love the names Tate and Sawyer...Neil says no. He likes the name Davey...I say no. There are a couple of "hmm...that's o.k." names, but, none that really stick out. I think the name opinions are deterring Neil from talking about it. I say, let's say "this is the name- period". That way, people are less likely to share opinions. Well, if anyone has any cute boy names, please feel free to pass them along.

20 weeks 4 days