26 Weeks Along: 10 Weeks of Bed Rest

We are now 26 weeks which is awesome!  It has been just over 3.5 weeks since we were admitted to Sanford.  Certain days are longer than others but when looking at the big picture time has gone fast and we continue to strive to give this baby a fighting chance at life.  We have had some small scares or hiccups along the way where we have been bleeding and lost large amounts of fluid.  We have been below 1 cm at one time due to this.  But so far after each hiccup we have been able to hold off for a few days before another one occurs.  We usually are lower in fluid obviously when this happens but some how we keep regaining some of it back.  As our doctor says - you have to be maintaining some fluid in order to keep losing fluid so we will take it. 

We have done a few white blood count tests and to everyone's surprise they still continue to go down.  I was in the 8's which is awesome. This week I also took my glucose test.  I passed with flying colors which probably does not come to a surprise to most of you considering how much I enjoy sweets and how normal it is for my body to process them!  We also went ahead and did our second round of steroid shots.  I have now received all of those and they will not give anymore.  The reason we did the two dose series again is because there is not enough evidence to show how productive they would have been at 23 weeks when we did them first and they know that they will help if they can after 24 weeks. 

We had another growth ultrasound today.  These are always something to look forward to because it is exciting to see how big our baby is.  Baby is still in the 68% range and weighs 2 lbs 4 oz!  We were thrilled.  Everything still measures as though I am a week ahead and anatomy all looks great.  They are starting to think that maybe both feet are clubbed or turned inward now.  Could just be the way the baby is positioned but we won't know for sure until delivery.  Once again this is very fixable especially if it is being caused by our low fluid amounts.  We had just under 2 cm  of fluid which Dr. Boyle seemed okay with.  He keeps saying that as long as the baby has some fluid it is a positive.  The fluid is not as crucial now as it was between 17-23 weeks when the lungs are trying to develop so it is better to have lower amounts now than what it was then. 

We want to thank everyone that has been in contact with us, visited, sent cards or things for me to occupy my time.  We appreciate your continued prayers as we continue to put our trust in God and be witnesses for Him during this process.  Andrew is now into crop dusting season which takes its toll normally and is going to be even more stressful this year.  We obviously do not know what God's timing holds but we know that if things continue as they are we will not be seeing very much of each other during the next few weeks because of the long hours spray season involves.  Please pray that he can accomplish a lot at work but also for safe travels back and forth as well and if he would need to get up here quickly when things start to happen.  Our other prayer request would continue to be time.  We are hoping to get to a point where the only big thing we need to worry about at delivery will be the baby's lungs.  We would love to have minimal worries concerning bleeding on the brain, eyes not developed, and size/weight.  This improves every day but if we could make it to the 28 week point doctors would be very pleased.

(To Makinley) We are getting to spend lots of time together baby girl.  I love listening to you during our monitor sessions.  You scare me sometimes when you heart rate drops.  I am sure you are just moving positions but it still makes my heart skip a beat.  I hope you continue to stay head down.  Most importantly we want you to have an easy delivery but mommy has hopes of a natural delivery so try your best to stay the way you are.  I love to feel you kick around inside of me.  You definitely have "awake times" and you don't like to be monitored but we know it is important to make sure you are happy.  Mommy got to see you suck your thumb during an ultrasound this week.  It was so cute to see some detail in your face.  This is a rare occurrence since our pictures aren't as great due to low fluid levels.  We love you soo much!!

Taking Pleasure in the Small Things

Taking pleasure in the small things is something I have become very accustomed to lately.  Bed rest is just a reminder to never take anything for granted.  Here are a few examples from the last week in the hospital....

1. We got to change rooms!  Although this may seem minor it was a big deal to Andrew and I.  We were able to pick a room that was more spacious, had two large windows instead of one, a better view, and most importantly a better thermostat.  The first room we were in was always really warm.  We would leave the door open just to get air circulation which also allowed all of the hallway noise into the room.  Now we can turn the temperature cooler and get a way better sleep at night.  My view is now WAY better.  Before I got to look at boilers on the roof and now I can watch helicopters come and go, view people who are walking through the sky walk, and see cars in the parking ramp.  Seems simple but at least it is better than what we had before.  Here are a few pictures of my new "home" for an undetermined amount of time..... 



"My Couch" - this is where I spend a majority of my day.
I watch TV, eat my meals, and get monitored here.







"My Bed" - we kept the couch flipped

into a bed because it slept better.






 





 





        

This is my view of helicopters & the skywalk



 



Other side of my room - note my "closet" of a suitcase and
the super small TV I had to watch for eight weeks.



 



2. Wheelchair rides - it is a love/hate relationship.  Doctors do not want me to walk a lot which may cause me to go into labor quicker so therefore if I want to go anywhere besides my room - I have to be wheeled around.  Andrew took me outside and around the hospital today to give me some fresh air and new scenery.  I love the rides but I hate the stares from random people.  I will never again look at someone in a wheelchair the same way.  Not that I ever judged them for their position but now I know what it feels like even when people are trying to be nice or subtle.



3.  Haircuts - I want so say a big thank you to my friend's sister Michelle.  You made my night by giving me a simple haircut.  When I started bed rest I thought it would only last a few days maybe a couple weeks so I didn't worry about my hair.  When we kept making it farther I had planned to get a haircut before being admitted to the hospital but then that changed with our emergency room visit and being admitted by ambulance.  After two weeks in the hospital I really didn't think I would be getting a haircut anytime soon.  But that is when my friends stepped up.  THANK YOU for making me feel "normal" again and for creating a makeshift salon in my hospital room.

 



4.  Chiropractors - Don't take for granted that you can visit them when needed.  I am someone who relies heavily on my chiropractor to keep my back adjusted and me pain free.  Once again that luxury is gone when you start on bed rest in a hospital.  But....I have an amazing chiropractor....Trent & Kara are not only in the business but they have become great friends.  THANK YOU for visiting me on your personal vacation and for being so kind as to adjust me in a hospital room as well.

 5.  Cinnamon Rolls - Since I am staying in a hospital the main source of my food is the hospital cafeteria.  Most people get by with hospital food because they know they only have to have it for a few short days during their visit.  I have been at the hospital now for 2.5 weeks and I keep ordering the same things because that is all that I like on the menu.  This week, after talking with my cleaning ladies,  I learned there are many things that are "good" to eat that are not on the menu.  I was quickly informed to order cinnamon rolls.  What a TREAT!  I finally felt like I was eating some food that didn't belong in a hospital.  I thought I would include a picture of my makeshift pantry.  I have to have some goodies on hand :)







6. Take Out - I appreciate restaurants that offer take out meals.  When Andrew and I are at the hospital we try to pick up food from somewhere else for supper.  We order from the room, he kindly leaves to go pick it up, and then we eat it in the room.  It is so nice to have a change of flavor in my diet.  This baby has made me crave a lot of BBQ Ribs for a while.  So we tend to order a lot of Outback & Applebees!









24+ Weeks Along: Week 8 of Bed Rest

We have made it past 24 weeks!  Thanks be to our heavenly Father for watching over all three of us during this entire process and allowing us to still be in a "waiting" position. Thankfully we have had an uneventful week since we updated you last week.  My parents were up over the weekend and Andrew and I were able to enjoy the fireworks from the 4th level parking ramp on Monday night.  Andrew did go back to work this week and the plan is that he will continue to work as long as we are stable and return to Sioux Falls some nights to spend time with me. 

Dad & Mom came to visit for a few days over the holiday weekend.

Below is a picture from the 4th of July Fireworks.

We joined a few other families on the Sanford Hospital roof to see (couldn't really hear them)

the firework display at the fairgrounds.  The nurses were so kind to make popcorn for us too.





We had an ultrasound and white blood count early in the week.  Surprisingly we had 4.3 cm of fluid at that point and my blood count was in the 11's. Both great numbers for us since that is the highest fluid level we had since 16 weeks and a normal pregnant woman usually isn't in the 11 range for blood count.  Dr. Boyle informed us that they don't start to get alarmed with a white blood count until it is 18 or 19 which is higher than what we were thinking originally so they will continue to watch mine twice a week.

  

We also want to update you on our ultrasound today.  If we were not in the hospital we would have had another appointment in Sioux Falls today so this was another big ultrasound with growth measurements.  Our baby is currently 1 lb 10 oz.  This is great to hear and the tech said that is in the 68 percentile for babies at this stage.  Our fluid level was down to 2.6 cm today which I don't think we were expecting since we haven't been losing a lot of fluid this week.  On the flip side, at the beginning of the ultrasound our baby had a large pocket of fluid by its mouth and when the tech went to measure fluid levels the second time that pocket was gone.  Baby had swallowed the pocket and we could see that its stomach was now larger and its bladder was full.  So that does give hope that baby is getting to swallow some fluid at least.  And the tech's measurement of fluid was the same not including that big pocket the second time.  So fluid levels are fluctuating but we are still above two which our specialist said he would be more than thrilled with for the entire time in our situation.  After our ultrasound we were given a tour of the NICU.  We are confident that no matter what happens God will be working through great nurses and doctors.  It is amazing to see technology at work and the various sizes of babies they are treating.  They currently have 51 babies in the NICU department!  On our tour, I asked out of curiosity what was the smallest baby they have ever had survive....14 oz.  Just a reminder that God is good and He can work miracles.

  

Thank you to all of you who have visited, sent emails, brought care packages, or offered to help with anything we may need.  We greatly appreciate your offers and will let you know if anything arises.  I knew, Lord willing, I would have a hospital stay of some kind so we were prepared with some stuff to keep me occupied while at the hospital. 

  

We ask that you continue to pray for time.  We have set a new goal now of 28 weeks.  This is another month away but it is considered a big milestone for the baby again.  Every day is so important for the baby to grow and develop.  Also we ask for patience and safe travel.  Mentally I know I can sit up here as long as we need to but it is still not the same as waiting at home.  My day begins at 6 am and ends at midnight which makes for a long day when you have to try and keep yourself occupied.  Andrew will be driving back and forth a lot and with crop dusting season right around the corner he will have some long days ahead of him as well. 

  

23 Weeks along: Trip to the Emergency Room

This update is a little late in coming but we have been on quite the roller coaster the last few days. As you know, we had a really good report last Friday and things were looking hopeful that we would be able to stay at home until at least 24 weeks and then take each week at a time after that.  Unfortunately on Tuesday, God had different plans.  He keeps reminding us that we can "think" we know a direction but only He guides it :)  My sister and our friend Tori randomly decided to come and visit from Monday night to Thursday just to help around the house and anything else we needed help with.  We had a good day together until mid Tuesday afternoon when I began to feel my stomach tighten and then release again.  Not frequent, but along with the fact that we had been losing some fluid Monday and Tuesday, we decided to go to Orange City to get it checked out.  Upon arrival things looked okay but as they monitored me they concluded that I was having mild contractions.  Next thing we knew, Andrew and I were riding in an ambulance to be admitted to Sanford.  Tuesday night is kind of a blur since everything was happening quickly, I was hooked to a lot of monitors, and they began giving me fluids & antibiotics.  Luckily, even though they said they stop contractions in less than 20% of women....once again God worked a miracle and by early am hours on Wednesday I had nearly stopped contracting.

Wednesday was spent with a lot of the same monitoring and talking to more doctors.  We were stable enough that Andrew was able to run home and pick up a few things for us that my sister had forgotten in the rush.  He also had to break into our house by drilling out the lock since Dee & Tori accidentally locked the door on their way out.  I think he secretly enjoyed doing it and was amazed at how easy it was to get in.  Thanks to our friends & family in Sioux Falls who allowed them to spend the night on Tuesday & Wednesday.  On Thursday we moved forward with more drugs both to keep contractions stopped or minimal as well as drugs that could potentially help  the baby.  Normally they do not start these until 24 weeks but since baby has always looked good and we stabilized we all decided we may as well do them and give every effort possible.  So I received the first of two steroid shots to help further lung development and a 12 hour dose of magnesium to help strengthen the baby's blood vessels and minimize a brain bleed if I were to deliver in the next few days. This is another reason you didn't get an email yesterday since the drug makes you kind of dizzy and out of it.

Where we are at now:  We wait - we continue to rely on God and pray that HIS will be done.  It is amazing how many times we have been told "no" or less than 5% and God continues to prove everyone wrong.  I am not hooked up to anything at the moment.  They completed the two days of IV antibiotics and will continue five days of oral.  We monitor the baby and contractions three times a day and for an hour each time.  I am also still on an oral drug to help minimize contractions.  We have been told that currently I have a few minor contractions once every few hours or once an hour later in the the evening but for the most part everything they pick up is just considered irritation which they can control for weeks.

Prayers:  We ask that you pray for time. We are currently 23 weeks and 2 days. Each day is so important for this little baby to keep developing.  We are thankful that the drugs have been in my system long enough to at least helped in some way if something were to happen.  We were also welcomed with great news by our ultrasound tech this morning.  We were told on Tuesday night that we had lost all of the fluid around the baby but this morning the tech was able to get a reading of 3.7 cm again.  (The same as we had on Friday at our appt!)  We also were able to see that there was a nice pocket by the baby's mouth, fluid in the stomach which means swallowing, and a full bladder which means its still getting nutrients and producing its own urine/fluid.   This is yet another thing to give praise!  As we move forward please continue to pray for Andrew and I as we may have to face difficult decisions for me and the baby.  As of now we are trusting God's plan and we will continue to leave things in his hands and pray that we make it to 24 weeks or more!

God Bless all of you this 4th of July weekend- thanks for being such a great support system through this entire process for us.  It is a long journey but we are happy to still be traveling on it!

(To Makinley) We are almost there baby girl.  You have almost made it to the 24 week mark that doctors think is the viable stage and that is when they agree to use all means possible to save you.  We have fought for you little one.  We were so frustrated upon arrival at Sanford when they told us if we deliver we should not use any means to try and save your life.  It is not easy trying to convince doctors that you could make it at this stage as well.  A few days are not going to stop us from fighting for you.  We know that God is in control and we are going to let Him determine your outcome if we deliver soon.  We have not based any of our decisions on statistics yet and by no means do we plan to start now. So keep fighting!  Keep proving everyone wrong!  Keep being a witness for God!  Mommy and Daddy are walking along side you!!!

You got your first ambulance ride on Tuesday along with mommy and daddy. Mommy got to watch out the back window the entire way but the gurney was far from comfortable.  Lets make a pact right now to never need an ambulance ride again :)

Trying to Enjoy the Pregnancy

Throughout our journey thus far I have really tried to savor each moment of the pregnancy.  This is not always easy to do because I am scared to become too attached.  I want to be 100% excited but at the same time I don't want to even think of possibly losing our baby after we have made it this far. My sister Deann and our good friend Tori came up on Sunday evening to spend a few days with me at the house.  We didn't have many plans other than decorating the newly finished basement and taking a few pregnancy pictures.  If you know me well, you know that I love pictures.  Andrew jokes that we should just have a permanent account or buy some stock in Shutterfly with as much as we use it.  This pregnancy is no different.  I keep trying to take pictures because in my eyes that is a winning situation that I can control.  If this baby survives we will have pictures to cherish and if this baby doesn't make it then I will still have my pregnancy pictures to treasure and hold on to.  Here are a few of the moments we captured:

22 Weeks Along: Week 6 of Bed Rest

Another week has come and gone and we are now past the 22 week mark.  We had another appointment in Sioux Falls today and we are thankful to have positive information to share with you.  When we go to Sioux Falls we basically have a very long ultrasound - I think today's lasted about 40 minutes.  They try to check every part of anatomy from the heart down to little things like the nose and lip.  Baby continues to grow - it now weighs 1lb 3 oz.  We are thankful that our fluid level is higher yet again.  We now have 3.7 cm of fluid compared to 2.7 measured three weeks ago and zero six weeks ago.  This is a great thing.  Dr. Boyle is very impressed we have that amount and said the more we can get the more chances the baby's lungs have to develop.  Another item of praise is that the kidneys which looked inflamed last appointment haven't changed.  Our ultrasound tech said they are at the high end of the normal range of size now and therefore most likely working properly.  We also can see fluid in the stomach which means the baby is swallowing some fluid at least....we just won't know if it is enough until baby has to take its first breath outside of the womb.

Things for which we ask your prayers....

1.  We couldn't get a clear picture but our baby may have one club foot.  This just means that one of his/her feet are turned inward.  The baby is sitting on one of its legs so it is pushed up against the outside of the womb.  Normally a baby "floats" in the fluid and therefore everything can develop.  Since the baby is pushed up against the membrane, it does not have enough strength to push away in order to grow.  Instead everything just continues to grow where it is - or make adjustments and therefore the club foot.  The doctor said this is fixable.  If this is due to low fluid then it could most likely be fixed in the first few months with just a cast.  If it is something genetic it takes a little more time and usually surgery but still fixable.  Otherwise all of the baby's fingers & toes seem to be developed.

2.  Time - we are praying that we make it to 24 weeks when they say the baby is viable outside the womb.  This would be awesome!  Originally we were going to be admitted at that time to Sanford and I would be on bed rest until delivery.  At this point, if things continue to go well, we are considering staying home until 26 or 27 weeks.  The doctor said it is our call but we must understand we are taking a risk in doing so because we would not be in the hospital for constant monitoring.  We asked what they would do at the hospital that I wouldn't be doing at home.  They would put me on a stress monitor three times a day for an hour each time, take vitals, and just be close in an emergency situation.  Even in that scenario he said we are only watching the baby for 3 hours out of the day so we wouldn't be guaranteed anything either.  If we were home I would go to Orange City two times a week to be placed on the stress monitor and take my own temp as I am doing now.  So as of right now we are thinking that we will benefit more from staying home, being comfortable, and sleeping well for an extra two or three weeks rather than be sitting in the hospital for the same thing.  These are our thoughts now but we ask for prayers as we make this decision and have to be aware of the risks that can occur.

3.  Lastly, we were reminded of reality today.  We have made it six weeks further than any doctor, nurse, or medical person would have thought.  This baby is already a miracle.  When things are going great it is easy to think everything is okay.  When we left the hospital six weeks ago we were given a 5 - 10% chance that this baby would survive.  If we keep the amount of fluid or gain a little more we are back to the 50% chance of survival.  50% is still a hard number to hear.  We always want the truth but at the same time it reminds us we may make it to a viable stage and still lose this baby.  God is good though and we continue to rely on Him for peace and endurance throughout this process.

What next - we continue to wait.  We have another appointment scheduled in Sioux Falls in two weeks.  At that point we could admit ourselves if we choose.  Otherwise we can take it week by week.  Thank you for all of your prayers, cards, and packages.  We truly our blessed with great friends and family.  We hope that you enjoy your weekend since it is actually nice out!  (FYI - this is the first Friday in 6 weeks that it has not been hazy or raining. Every other appointment we have had we drove in rain.)

(To Makinley)  Great work baby girl!  You are hanging in there and we are so proud of you!  Don't be disappointed about your club foot.  We love you however God has made you.  You are still special and we will overcome this as well.  Your mommy & daddy love you lots little one!!!

Road Trip to Omaha

Andrew and I decided to go on a mini road trip today.  I have been doing a lot of research on baby furniture while on bed rest but pictures just don't do me justice.  My husband knows me well enough to know I like to see things in person and then make my decision.  I have to rule out every option in order to love what we end up with.  Luckily, I had it narrowed down to two options; one from Target and one from Baby's R Us.  Since things were going fairly smooth with the pregnancy we decided to head to the nearest Baby's R Us store to pick out furniture together.  Once again - Andrew knew this would also make me feel less gypped of the whole pregnancy and first child experience. 

It was also neat to see how flooded everything was near the Missouri River.  It is amazing how many fields are under water and how much damage has occurred.  Here are a few pictures I snapped while we were driving....




This is a ditch that runs right along side the interstate. 
Some lanes were actually closed because water was starting to cover them partially.





This was taken in Sioux City.  You can see how far the water comes up just by looking at the stoplights.

 

20 Weeks Along: Week 4 of Bed Rest

Wow - we have made it a month since we were at the Sanford Hospital ER. We are now officially 5 months along and our baby is definitely still growing!  We had another appointment in Orange City today and to be honest I don't have a lot to tell you.  We did not do an ultrasound as we had expected since they got so many good pictures of anatomy last week in Sioux Falls.  My blood count does continue to creep up.  We were at 12.1 today and if we get to 14/15 points that is when the doctors get concerned.  So in the last month I went up .8 points.  If we can keep that pace we will at least make it to a point in the pregnancy where the baby is viable.  Additional good news is that we are not going to do an appointment next week Friday.  As long as things remain the same we are planning to go to our Sanford appointment in two weeks.

Once again - thanks for your continued prayers, support, phone calls, meals, visits, etc.  Every aspect is greatly appreciated.  We have a long road ahead but in an ideal situation we are 1/4 of the way done in our waiting period.  We are 4 weeks away from the crucial stage of 24 weeks which at this point is our first goal.  Our doctor in Orange City did make the comment today that if things keep progressing like this he would maybe even suggest staying at home longer instead of being admitted to Sanford at 24 weeks like they are suggesting at this time.  We will just continue to take things one day at a time, thankful that each day we are one day closer, and make those decisions as the time comes.



20 weeks pregnant



19 Weeks Along: Week 3 of Bed Rest

Another week has passed and once again we give praise for the positive report we received today at Sanford in Sioux Falls.  We were able to ask many questions  that have been on our minds as well as see a lot of anatomy that is not possible on Orange City's ultrasound machines.  We spoke with Dr. Boyle who
was one of the OB specialists we saw when we were at Sanford three weeks ago.  I think he is just as shocked as we are that we are still here today - with the baby that God has blessed us with.  We reminded him that we are only in this position because God has chose for this to occur - nothing else can explain why things look so positive.  Once again the baby's brain, spine, and heart look fine.  We were able to get a good look at the kidneys for the first time and they are slightly inflamed but nothing to be alarmed about.  Dr. Boyle said many pregnancies have that and sometimes it is just the stage of development where the baby is trying to use them more (18-21 weeks) and therefore they become slightly larger.  We will keep an eye on them but for now do nothing.  We asked what the baby's lungs looked like and he said that there is no way to judge a baby's lungs before they are born.  They are "deflated" until birth because baby gets 100% of oxygen from mom.  So we will never know if the lungs are developed until that point. 

Best news of the day - we have a tiny amount of fluid all of the way around the baby!  Normal would be 9 to 22 centimeters surrounding and we have 2.7 cm. Studies have shown that even mom's who have 1-2 cm have babies with a higher chance of survival than mom's with no fluid.  So we hope we can at least
maintain that amount or increase it slightly.  Three weeks ago I had zero so the doctor was very impressed with this amount as well as how much the baby was moving.

So for now we will continue to have appointments every Friday.  If in five weeks we are still in this position they strongly advise that I be admitted to the Sanford hospital since at that point the baby has a chance of survival.  If things are going good we may try to hold off a little longer just for the comfort of being at
home, more relaxed, and eating your own food.  But, obviously at this point we don't have to think that far ahead - we are just happy to be three weeks further which puts us at 19 weeks along.  The baby is still measuring ahead but our doctor said that could be because Andrew and I are above average in height too.  He was not alarmed and would not change my date to the 20 weeks which baby is measuring.

Once again - thank you for your continued prayers.  Our prayers right now consist of more fluid, patience, and contentment.  I am willing to do whatever I can to give this baby a fighting chance - but that doesn't mean every day is easy.  I would love to be more active and working so pray that I can stay content with being at home and being healthy.  We also ask you send up prayers of thanks - thanks to God for answering our prayers thus far and for keeping me/the baby safe.




19 weeks pregnant - I look forward to Friday's because we get to see the baby
on ultrasound and I get to enjoy being outside of our house for a few short hours.

 

18 Weeks Along: Week 2 of Bed Rest

We had another appointment today and we are definitely praising God for where we are at so far and the positive news we received today.  We still have a very long hill to climb, our situation could change at any moment, but for today we can be thankful that everything looks stable. At our appointment today we once again did a blood test and an ultrasound.  My white blood cell count was just a little higher than last time but
still nothing we should be worried about.  It was at 11.7 and Cindy said we shouldn't be worried until 14-15.  So this, along with me not having any fevers all weeks, means that I am not getting any infections which would be bad for the baby and me.

Next we had our ultrasound which showed our little baby was still very active.  Heart rate was at 150 so he/she is still holding strong.  We asked about the fluid and Dr. Grossmann didn't want to get our hopes up since we weren't using a high tech machine but he thought he was able to see at least one or two pockets of fluid that weren't there last week.  So this is also good news.  We noticed we were getting to see a different angle of our baby than what it was at all our other ultrasounds.  So although there is not enough fluid for our baby to turn from breach to head down, there is enough that it is flipping from side to side....also good.

Thanks for your prayers for us and for this baby - as of right now God has decided to let this little one stick with us.  We thank Him for any amount of time that He grants us.  We also realize that even though this is all good news - we still need to build up more fluid in order to help the baby's development.  Our next appointment is on Friday which will be in Sioux Falls.  Since we have made it this far and I am still feeling fine my doctor wants us to get a better, higher tech, ultrasound and see one of the specialists we saw before.  Once again - figure no news is good news until then.

We want you to know that we appreciate all of your prayers and support.  It is very comforting to know that we are being uplifted by so many friends and family.  We also want to thank our loving Father because without Him none of this would have been possible.  He has picked us up when we are down and we definitely feel His loving hands around us. 

(To Makinley)  Way to go baby GIRL!  Today Dr. Grossmann was able to get a good enough picture of you to guess that you were most likely a girl.  We were so happy to have a gender!  We loved you either way but now we know just a little more about you in case something does happen.  Words will never be able to explain our excitement.  Your daddy is in love with you already and I swear he would give you anything you ask for now already.  I am shocked that we are having a girl and I can't help but think of the future and how fun it may be to go shopping with you and buy you all kinds of cute clothes and bows!  We are so proud of the way you are hanging in there and that you continue to beat all odds.  We plan to keep fighting for you baby Girl and we will keep taking it one day at a time to see how God's plan unfolds.