Week 22

4/26/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

I can't believe another week has come and gone. Yesterday was your Daddy's birthday he is 34 years old.

This week I started throwing up again and haven't felt my best but other than that there are not many changes to report. Well, besides the fact i had to buy nursing pads...how embarrassing! Glammy and I continue to shop and every time I think I'm done with your nursery I find something else we need!

Your kicking is getting stronger, Daddy, Glammy, and Unkie have all been able to feel you...GeeGee refuses to feel because he's afraid you'll grab him (ha,ha). Mommy hasn't been sleeping well due to my belly growing, and your constant dancing. I just can't seem to get comfortable...you're more than worth it though.

This week you are one pound, 11 inches and the size of a spaghetti squash. Your senses are developing even more this week. Your taste buds are forming and nerve endings are developed enough that you could experience the sensation of touch.

As for Mommy's body people are still unsure if I'm pregnant and are hesitant to ask. They usually say; "are you shopping for something special?" And we point to you. I guess that's a good thing I'm not too big yet since I don't want strangers to touch my belly...I have a few words for them though just in case..."If you didn't put it there don't touch it!" And the other great news is no stretch marks to report!

Hopefully we hear from the high risk doctor next week and we will get to have another ultrasound in the next couple of weeks, I love watching you, you're quite the little lady as you practice your princess wave and cross your ankles.

Hopefully, this week will go a little bit smoother for us little Princess! -XOX!

Week 21: Everyday It's Something New

4/19/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

First things first...you are 100% perfect and completely adorable. This week we met with the genetic counselor and a Perinatologist who confirmed my test results were false for a neural tube defects. However, they did discover a problem that is pretty serious. The placenta that gives you all your nutrients is not normal (it's not the worst they've seen but it's not the best either). The placenta is split in two and connected by a very thin section. Unfortunately, your umbilical cord is attached to the smaller of the two sections. This could mean you could not continue to get the nutrients you need to grow, however, right now you are measuring exactly where you should be for your original due date of August 30th. The Perinatologist said that I will get an ultra sound once a month now and be monitored by a high risk specialist every two weeks as time progresses to make sure that both of us are doing well. She said there is a possibility that everything could turn out perfectly normal but there is also the chance that you will have to come early and by c-section and that delivery will be in Roseville. Mommy has to be watched closely now for preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and may possibly have to be hospitalized or on bed rest as we enter the third trimester.

So, for now we just wait to see what happens and hope for the best but, I do have to consider life with a premature baby if they have to deliver before 37 weeks which is considered full term. You'll learn Mommy is a planner and a researcher and always has her ducks in a row no matter what the situation is. For example, I was not planning on breast feeding at all (it's just not the right thing for me...for many reasons). I have been considering extracting the colostrum for your nourishment though with the advice from my doctor, however, now I have to think about how important my breast milk is for you if you are premature. Now, I have decided that there is a reason why I'm producing colostrum already and that I will provide you with breast milk for the length of time you are early (pumping only!). I'm just so thankful to be so organized and on top of things in case you do arrive early. I also received your kit for cord blood and tissue banking and have all the paper work completed with the company and we are all ready for whatever comes. I know in my heart that no matter when you arrive you will be perfect and just fine, our team of doctors will make sure that both you and I are safe and ok.

This week you are the length of a banana (10.5 inches) and weigh in at 13 ounces (as per your ultrasound). This week as your digestive system continues to develop you will begin to swallow amniotic fluid and absorb small amounts of sugar, but most of your nutrients are still coming from the placenta. You are becoming more active and moving like crazy! Daddy got to feel you for the first time. I've become tired over the last week and need more rest because someone (you) decides to have a party every night and sleep all day! I'm still feeling nauseated too (probably because of the placenta producing too much hormone) and I've gotten sick a few times this week. But, I have gained about five pounds now which is good.

Well little Miss Brookie we all love you to pieces and can't wait to hold you in our arms...let's aim for 37 weeks! -XOX!

Brookelynn's Vintage City Nursery

4/17/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

Your Mommy has a love for fashion, vintage inspirations, and architecture so I created a nursery that combined all of the things that inspire me just for you and with a name like Brookelynn I think it's the perfect fit!

So here it is the grand reveal of your beautiful nursery...

I hope you will have the sweetest dreams of our future trips to the fashion capitals of the world in this room. I know you will be a little fashionista and be inspired by their beauty just as Mommy has. I can't wait to take you to fashion week in New York City, have tea in London, go shopping in Barcelona, have a macaroon in Paris, find inspiration in the architecture of Rome, and walk Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles.

And always remember to wear your cutest pajamas because you never know who you will meet in your dreams. -XOX!

Week 20: Half Way There!

Dear Brookelynn,

We made it to 20 weeks, there have been many, many ups and downs and even some new ones this week...but together we can make it through anything.

Just like Mommy you will have the best support system ever and we will persevere through any road block and come out even stronger than before. And our support system doesn't just stop here on earth we have some very special guardian angels that will help us when we are having tough times. We just have to keep our hearts open so we can feel them. That's why I believe that even though this week has been a struggle and we still don't know what it means; we can and we will make it over this little hill or we will climb this mountain.

This week Mommy and Glammy got to see you (Daddy had to work), we had our 20 week ultrasound and everything looks good so far...and the ultrasound technician at Kaiser agrees, you are a Brookelynn. We got quiet the pictures from you, you were laughing and smiling (it looks a little scary though). We learned that you are 11 ounces and that you are measuring a little bit bigger so they changed my due date to August 28th (two days earlier...I still believe you will make your grand entrance on the 30th!).

Today Mommy got quite the scare! A Genetic Counselor from Kaiser called and said that I tested positive for a protein that can indicate that there is a possibility that you could be born with a neural tube defect. The test could also be a normal variance as well (a normal range is up to 2.5, however, mine read 2.7) but it's still very scary. I spent the whole morning crying and hyperventilating from my tears. I felt like I did something wrong but after research I realized that this could happen to anyone. The counselor also said that most likely this is a false positive because your ultrasound from yesterday shows a negative result for any defects (still scary).

So...just to be sure Mommy and Daddy have to go to Sacramento on Tuesday to have level II ultrasound. The counselor assured me that it's unlikely that there is an actual problem and this is just a second opinion and so we can be 100% sure you are ok. We will meet with the genetic counselor in person, have the ultrasound, and then meet with the Perinatologist. I guarantee you no matter the results you will have the best health care and the best medical team. Mommy and Daddy are also going to have your cord blood and tissue banked so you will be protected if anything should arise in your future. Protecting your future is worth every penny.

All of my other blood test came back normal and show no signs for concern. That's great news! The risk for Down's syndrome and Trisomy 18 is less than 1 in 100,000 and the risk for Smith Lemli Opitz Syndrome is less than 1/10,000. No matter what these test prove or don't prove it doesn't change the way we feel about you, we are so in love. And no one knows the strength of my love more than you. You can feel and hear it with every beat of my heart.

We will see what Tuesday brings but, I know in my heart there is nothing to fear because you will be perfect to me no matter what.

At 20 weeks you are 6.5 in long or the size of a small cantaloupe and are suppose to weigh 10.6 (your just a little bit more). Mommy has gained about 3 or pounds now and feels much better after meeting with a nutritionist this week. I'm eating every two hours and taking my nausea medication in the mornings only. That seems to be helping me a lot, fingers crossed. People are still unsure whether they should congratulate me or ask if I had one too many beers, but that's ok. No need to gain extra weight, you are weighing in right on track.

This week your skin will become covered in a waxy substance (vernix) which protects your skin from being scratched or chapped. And you are starting to produce meconium which will be your first bowel movement. While you produce that Mommy has begun producing colostrum and unfortunately it has begun to spring a leek occasionally. I love how people pretend pregnancy is all lollipops and flowers, it's not. But, I will tell you it's worth it.

In other news Mommy and Glammy got some more things for your room and Mommy bought you the cutest outfits including your first sweat outfit. It's so stinking cute!

Well, Miss Brookelynn Jayde please keep Mommy's sanity in mind and let's try not to have anymore morning sickness (wishful thinking) and that everything turns out ok with you on Tuesday.

Love you to the moon and back! -XOX!

Week 19

4/5/2013

Dear Brookelynn,

This week you are the size of an heirloom tomato (6.0 inches) and weigh 8.5 ounces. Many of your senses have started to develop due to specialized areas of the brain being designated to those senses (smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch). The millions of motor neurons are continuing to develop in your brain as well allowing you to have more control over your movements and you are more aware of these skills. And Mommy is too! You wake me up with your kicks and jabs. Between your movements and your Dad's new snoring trend that starts at 3:00 every morning neither of you are allowing me to get much sleep these days.


I went to the doctor today and I have gained 2.5 pounds now. However, my nausea is in full swing again and I can not keep my breakfast down. The doctor thinks at this point I may just need to keep pushing through, there is not much more they can do for me. At least now I don't have the added stress of missing work. With that said your heart rate was a healthy 150 and you are still quite the little mover. Both you and I are doing well which is most important.

This week Glammy and I continued to work on your room, it gets better each week. But, I'm still not ready to release the big reveal to everyone. Every last detail must be perfect first. We also met with Auntie Robin and Nana to go over shower plans, I can't wait for our Vintage Alice in a wonderland extravaganza!

In addition, we said goodbye to Flicka, my mustang...she will be missed. But, our new ride will be ready any day now, it already made it to Benicia and your Dad and I already signed the papers so I can just pick it up when it comes in. So for the next couple of days while Daddy is at work, Glammy and GeeGee are my chauffeurs.

We are almost half way there, one more week to go! I can't believe how much time has past so quickly. Cheers to week 20! -XOX!