Watch my belly grow....

I've included all of the belly pictures that we've taken through out the pregnancy. It's amazing to see the progression of the bump. Enjoy. Only 8 more weeks of pictures!

7 weeks, 5/26/09

8 weeks, 6/2/09

9 weeks, 6/9/09

10 weeks, 6/16/09

11 weeks, 6/23/09

12 weeks, 7/1/09

13 weeks, 7/7/09

14 weeks, 7/14/09

15 weeks, 7/21/09

16 weeks, 7/28/09

17 weeks, 8/4/09

18 weeks, 8/10/09

19 weeks, 8/18/09

20 weeks, 8/25/09

21 weeks, 9/1/09

22 weeks, 9/8/09

23 weeks, 9/16/09

24 weeks, 9/23/09

25 weeks, 10/1/09

27 weeks, 10/13/09

28 weeks, 10/21/09

29 weeks, 10/27/09

Baby Osika is an Over-Achiever!

Andy & I went to our weekly appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine this morning at 7:30am. This week we were going to find out the baby's 2 week weight gain (the doctor alternates between a biophysical profile one week with the baby's weight the following). Andy and I were anxious to hear if the baby met the guidelines the doctor has set for him/her. For a weight restricted baby, they like to see a 6-8oz. weight gain over a 2 week period. This week Baby Osika went above and beyond and gained 9oz. The baby now weighs 2 1/2 pounds. We were told that he/she is still in the 4th percentile but as long as they continue to see progress with the weight gain the doctor's are happy.

It was confirmed in our appointment this morning that I will be induced at 37 weeks. My calculation is putting the delivery the week before Christmas. It's hard to believe that my induction is only 8 weeks away. Time sure does fly!

We are anxious to meet a healthy, happy Baby Osika in just a few short weeks!!

Much brighter spirits....

Maternal Fetal Update:

It’s amazing how different one can feel leaving an appointment when you have a good doctor! This week Andy and I finally got to see the doctor that we have long been waiting to see. I’m just praying we can get in with this doctor more frequently going forward.

The baby gained 6 oz in the past two weeks and now weighs in at 1lb 15oz. This now puts Baby Osika in the 4th percentile and he/she will continue to be monitored as previously planned. The doctor informed us that at this point the baby looks small but completely healthy. The blood flow looks great, the organs are continuing to develop as they should, and amniotic fluid continues to stay within the targeted range. He also told us that they often see babies play “catch up” in the third trimester. So, perhaps Baby Osika has just been stubborn up to this point and will start packing on the ounces in this last trimester.

We also asked the doctor what the next step would be if the baby’s weight does not progress as they would like (6-8oz. within 2 weeks). He said that if things don’t progress as they’d like to see they would consider delivering at 37 weeks. So, we may have a Christmas baby after all.

It's ironic how with a little research you can easily find contradicting information. Per the birth weight charts published at the following site, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/rhs-ssg/bwga-pnag/index-eng.php#bwmale, it appears as if Baby Osika comes in between the 10th and 50th percentile at 879 grams (1lb 15 oz). So, I think our next question will be asking what charts the doctors use to gauge what percentile the baby falls in.

27 Week Belly Photo:

Well, we missed last week's belly picture. But, 1 out of 27 isn't so bad, right?

As you can see by the picture, the belly is continuing to grow. I can't imagine what it's going to look like at 40 weeks! The baby is moving around like crazy. Andy and I often get a few giggles out of watching my belly change shapes and sizes as we imagine the baby moving all around and pushing on me from the inside.

Last Du/Tri of the Season:

Giada and I were the cheering section at this past weekend's race in Cape Henlopen, Delaware. We had 4 people participate in the Duathlon (Katie, Rosie, Magali, and Dan) and 5 people participate in the Triathlon (Andy, Tim, David, Ange, and Josh). Overall, Lanchester Athletic Club (LAC) came home with 5 medals---Congratulations to everyone! LAC ends another great season.

LAC Members who participated in the Du/Tri.

Dinner at "The Summer House" in Rehoboth on Friday Night.

Better than last week....

Andy and I had our first "weekly" appointment this afternoon with Maternal Fetal Medicine. And although it went better than last week, and I left without tears this time, I still left with unanswered questions and a bit frustrated. The ultra sound tech and doctor will be monitoring the physical activity of the baby (ensuring there is punching and/or kicking going on) one week and the weight of the baby the following week. This week they measured the physical activity. The ultra sound tech and doctor were happy with the baby's movement. They also noted that the baby was "breathing" (really just diaphragm movement since they don't technically breathe until they are born) and that both the amniotic fluid level and umbilical cord were both "normal" and healthy. So, when it's all said in done we left with a good report and look forward to observing the baby's weight gain at our next appointment.

For those of you who are curious, here are the questions we asked and the responses we received:


1. Can I/we do anything differently to increase the weight of the baby?

There is no telling why the baby is small and therefore there is nothing that the mother can do differently.



2. If I am already gaining the recommended weight, will consuming more calories make a difference?

Per the doctor, "if you pigged out and gained 50 lbs in the next three months we would probably see some weight gain in the baby. However, I wouldn't recommend you doing that. It's more important that you are eating healthy and you continue to see steady weight gain for the rest of the pregnancy."



3. What is the current health of the baby? Any concerns other than being small?

The baby appears to be healthy based on observation of organ development, blood flow, amniotic fluid, and activity level of the baby.



4. At what point is it determined that the baby is a healthy, small baby (based on genes/parents)?

There really is no cut-off for observation of the fetus. The fetus will continue to be monitored on a weekly basis as ti's all a numbers game. All of the tests/observations must be looked at as a whole to determine the overall health of the baby. There will never be an "answer" as to why the baby is small. The best that can be done is to continue to observe the activity and weight of the baby on a weekly basis. If the baby would reach a higher percentile (doctor suggested the 20th percentile), they would consider canceling future appointments. To end on a positive note, the doctor believes that the baby will continue to progress and will only make an appearance once I've reached full term.



5. If the baby's weight doesn't "catch up" to "normal" weight, what would be the next step?

The next step would be additional testing, for instance, hooking the mother up to a monitor to track the baby's movement and it's impact on the heart rate.



6. Could there be something wrong with the umbilical cord?

The umbilical cord has been checked at each visit with Maternal Fetal Medicine and has appeared to be functioning normally. The umbilical cord is monitored for oxygen flow to ensure that the baby is being properly nourished.



Thanks again for all of the prayers and well wishes from family and friends. It means so much to know that we are in your thoughts. We will continue to update you on a weekly basis so you can be right there with us as we watch Baby Osika grow.

The last to tie the knot....

Well, the last of the Millersville gals, Meghan Garrison, got married on Sunday, October 4th during a beach ceremony in Avalon, NJ. It's hard to believe that the whole crew is married now (some even have babies or babies on the way). Meg and I lived together all four years at MU! It's hard to believe that 11 years ago we were moving into our 3rd floor dorm room in Diehm Hall and now she is married. Anyways, enough with the emotions (pregnancy hormones really get to me)....the day was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous, and a good time was had by all! Best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kallen...A good friend once told me......

"May your love be old enough to survive the times but young enough to last forever!"

Hands on House 5k

Mommy-to-Be and Baby Osika participated in the Hands on House 5k on Saturday, 10/3/09. The race benefits the Hands on House, Children's Museum of Lancaster. We couldn't have asked for a more gorgeous morning! The race was expecting over 1,000 participants this year between the 5k and the Half Marathon. Mommy and Baby ran along side Aunt Katie. She was my cheerleader, going slow and steady at my new pace! It was a great day and we couldn't have had a better cheering section, Daddy-to-Be, Cheyenne, Uncle Timmy, Rosie, Dan, Giada, and Wembley.

Regardless of my good efforts, Cheyenne was surely the hit of the morning. If we had a quarter for every person that asked to pet her, asked what kind of dog she is, asked if she is blind in one eye (due to the 2 different colored eyes), or called her a "he" (even with a PURPLE bandanna)....I think we'd be RICH! Perhaps this is our way to become millionaires!

25 weeks down, 15 to go...

As of 10/1/20009, I am half way through my 25th week. This week has been a tough week for both Andy & I after our appointment with Maternal Fetal Medicine. We are trying to stay optimistic and stay calm as we continue these appointments on a weekly basis. Our next appointment is on Tuesday, 10/6, at 12:45. Andy and I have come up with a list of questions that we hope will ease our anxiety. We will be sure to keep you up to speed after each appointment.

On a lighter note, I am starting to believe what I've read about pets knowing when you are pregnant. Cheyenne seems to be craving some extra attention as if she knows what is to come in January 2010. We are trying to show her love and attention and assure her that she won't be forgotten when Baby Osika arrives.