We just returned from the doctor and all continues to be well! Addi's heartbeat had dropped to 134, but the doctors have reassured us that anything within 120-180 is within a normal range. The heartbeat all depends on their level of activity at the moment. Addi must have been snoozing this afternoon!
As we head into the 3rd trimester, I am beginning to feel more tired and just exhausted. I know that we are emotionally drained as well, but Kenny and I both feel strongly that we need to continue to live life as normal. We know that Addi can feel the love that we share for her and that Kenny and I share together. We also want Addi to feel joy and happiness through me and not sadness and worry. Please continue to pray for our strength, courage, and of course a miracle.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Update January 21
Addi's heartbeat was beautiful again today. I feel like we are going to the doctor ALL the time! Each week, as our appointment approaches, we begin to feel very anxious and scared. We know that we might be headed to the hospital to deliver our little angel. So far, each time that we go we are blessed with her strong heartbeat. It is the most beautiful sound to our ears.
Even though I am 26 weeks, I am still not able to feel Addi's movements very much. We are enjoying the times when we can see her moving though! We discovered that if I lay very still and hold my breath, we can see slight movement in my stomach...when she is moving of course. It's times like this when we forget what the doctors have told us and I catch myself imagining our family after she is born.
We are constantly reminded how precious and fragile life is. We are not gauranteed tomorrow, so we need to cherish today. If we lose Addison tomorrow, we know that we have been blessed beyond measure. Our short time with her has taught us so much about patience, love, faith, and courage. Through our pain and heartache, we still have joy and faith in our Father.
Even though I am 26 weeks, I am still not able to feel Addi's movements very much. We are enjoying the times when we can see her moving though! We discovered that if I lay very still and hold my breath, we can see slight movement in my stomach...when she is moving of course. It's times like this when we forget what the doctors have told us and I catch myself imagining our family after she is born.
We are constantly reminded how precious and fragile life is. We are not gauranteed tomorrow, so we need to cherish today. If we lose Addison tomorrow, we know that we have been blessed beyond measure. Our short time with her has taught us so much about patience, love, faith, and courage. Through our pain and heartache, we still have joy and faith in our Father.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Update January 15
Another great visit to the doctor! Addi's heatbeat was 152 today. We were also able to hear her making some movements from the heartbeat sonar machine. I do not feel Addi moving very much so it was nice to be able to hear the movements. My doctor explained that Addi more than likely has very low muscle tone which would make her movements much slower and more gentle than an average baby. Because of this, I will not always feel her movements.
We continue to pray for a miracle. We also pray for strength and courage to accept God's will for Addi. We cannot express enough thanks to all that have been so supportive. It provides a great deal of comfort to know that so many people are praying for our family and so sincerely care.
We continue to pray for a miracle. We also pray for strength and courage to accept God's will for Addi. We cannot express enough thanks to all that have been so supportive. It provides a great deal of comfort to know that so many people are praying for our family and so sincerely care.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
update January 9
We went for our weekly check-up today. Addi's heart rate was still wonderful. It ranged in the 150's today. Last week we had another ultra-sound and we were able to see our sweet girl. She has almost doubled in size in one month! On Dec. 4, Addi weighed 7oz and now she weighs 13oz. We were pleased to see that she is continuing to grow and she always appears to be happy and content. My health has also remained in good standing.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
The Diagnosis
Many of you know that we are expecting a baby girl, Addison Leigh. We lovingly refer to her as Addi. From the moment that we found out that I was pregnant, we were thrilled beyond words! We could not wait to begin planning and preparing for our baby. I had the picture perfect pregnancy with no morning sickness or crazy cravings. We went at 17 weeks to find out the gender of our baby. We quickly found out how stubborn our little one was...after 15 minutes of poking, prodding, and prayer...we found out that we were expecting a girl! We were so excited! The planning began for our sweet girl.
The joy we shared was short lived. Only 3 weeks later we were blindsided with terrible news that something was wrong. The doctors were concerned with her size and her head. My doctors sent me to a specialist the next morning for a level II ultra sound. It was there that we recieved the news that ripped our hearts out.
Our baby has triploidy. It is a chromosome disorder which we have learned is not compatible with life. A normal person has 46 chromosomes and our Addi has 69 chromosomes. Most babies with Triploidy are miscarried very early in the pregnancy. It is amazing that Addi is still with us at 23 weeks. Also, most Triploidy babies have numerous birth defects. So far, we know that our Addi has an abdomen that measure 4 weeks smaller than that of an average fetus and the rest of her body measures 2 weeks behind. Her brain has a lot of fluid and swelling. She also has a rocker bottom foot and an extremely small jaw.
One of the leading defects in a triploidy baby is a heart defect. We are pleased to say that the doctors found no evidence of any heart defect in our precious girl. The organs that they were able to see on the ultrasound appear to function normally as well.
The specialist suggested termination of the pregnancy. We replied with an absolutely not! Just moments before the ultrasound ended, our Addison reached out and was playing with her toes. Our little girl is a fighter and as her parents we will protect and provide for her until God decides to take her home.
Currently, we are visiting the doctor weekly to check Addi's heartbeat and to closely monitor my health. I hope to be able to post a weekly update on Addi.
The joy we shared was short lived. Only 3 weeks later we were blindsided with terrible news that something was wrong. The doctors were concerned with her size and her head. My doctors sent me to a specialist the next morning for a level II ultra sound. It was there that we recieved the news that ripped our hearts out.
Our baby has triploidy. It is a chromosome disorder which we have learned is not compatible with life. A normal person has 46 chromosomes and our Addi has 69 chromosomes. Most babies with Triploidy are miscarried very early in the pregnancy. It is amazing that Addi is still with us at 23 weeks. Also, most Triploidy babies have numerous birth defects. So far, we know that our Addi has an abdomen that measure 4 weeks smaller than that of an average fetus and the rest of her body measures 2 weeks behind. Her brain has a lot of fluid and swelling. She also has a rocker bottom foot and an extremely small jaw.
One of the leading defects in a triploidy baby is a heart defect. We are pleased to say that the doctors found no evidence of any heart defect in our precious girl. The organs that they were able to see on the ultrasound appear to function normally as well.
The specialist suggested termination of the pregnancy. We replied with an absolutely not! Just moments before the ultrasound ended, our Addison reached out and was playing with her toes. Our little girl is a fighter and as her parents we will protect and provide for her until God decides to take her home.
Currently, we are visiting the doctor weekly to check Addi's heartbeat and to closely monitor my health. I hope to be able to post a weekly update on Addi.
Our precious baby
Most of you know the details of our pregnancy complications, but yet there are many who do not. We decided to create a blog so that we can post information regarding Addi and our journey through the pregnancy. We will do our best to post current information. We thank each of you that have showered us with love and prayers. Addi is a blessing and our little Angel. We love her more than we could have ever imagined and pray for God's will to be done. We are thankful for and appreciate any encouraging words or prayers that will be posted.
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