Photos Of Our Little Lady

23 WEEKS
Here is a great 3D shot.
She is starting to fill out!


29 WEEKS
Here are 3 3D shots of her:






This is a shot of all the HAIR she has on her head.
It is shot of the top of her head.
All the little fringe is her hair.
The tech said, "oh she is got a lot of hair for 29weeks"
I was not excited at first.
Honestly, I love bald babies but I am sure she will be PERFECT!


Here is a shot of her little leg and foot
You can see all the toes!
How CUTE!


And last, here is a shot of her.
To the left is her leg & foot
To the right is her little profile of her face
She is bent over in a pike position.

Update FINALLY!

THE CYST
Clearly I have to update this blog

So much has happened

Okay the cyst
I saw the Gyon/Oncologist Dr. Silver (12/11/08)

He was my “third” option on what to do with the cyst

After an insane visit (see the story below) we decided…
To keep an eye on it for now and continue to monitor it.
If they were to do surgery now and they we not able to save the ovary

I would go into menopause at 28
And they all agreed they will do whatever they can to save the only ovary I have.
The ovary is inside and around the cyst (I know it does not make sense)
But it is not sitting on the ovary

The cyst has ovarian tissue all around it.

That is why this has been a hard decision to make

It is not just… go in, take it out, save ovary and all is well.

So that is the plan as of now.

If I have to have a c-section for whatever reason

They will check out the situation once they are in there

And decide what to do then.

Take it

Drain it

Or just keep monitoring it.

If I go vaginally then they are going just continue to monitor it

However, after birth your uterus contracts down to normal size.
At this point the cyst could decides to twist

Good news is it happens right after birth and I will be in the hospital
Bad news is it is very very painful
So I will get wheeled to the OR and they will do emergency surgery
All in all whatever happens, happens.

And if our little lady is all we get then great!
And if I go into menopause… well let’s just pray that happens in my 40 or 50 like normal.

As long as there is some ovarian tissue it will not happen

But the does not mean I will have eggs for another child

I will be okay with what God hands me… there is a reason for everything.

And it will make me appreciate what I do have even more.

THE VISIT WITH DR SILVER… OBGYN/ONCOLOGIST

St Luke’s and such a nice hospital

The people are amazing and the hospital looks like a hotel

I was in the cancer area so it was sad but the staff was amazing!

If I ever get cancer I am going there.

Anyway, I go in and like I said everyone was so nice and sweet

The take me back, check my weight and blood pressure

And then the nurse says… “okay everything off from the bottom down.”

I said, “EXCUSE ME! I am 22 weeks pregnant why does he need to do an internal.”

I totally lose my mind!

She says, “well let me check with the doctor and see if it is necessary.”

I am thinking to myself WHY THE HELL WOULD IT BE NECESSARY???

1. I am 22 weeks pregnant
2. My uterus is above my belly button and so is my ovary and cyst
3. There is a MUCUS PLUG so he would not be able to “get in there”

4. So…. what is this man checking? My vaginal canal??

Clearly that has NOTHING to do with a cyst on my ovary.
Now, I know, I am being ridiculous but I have NEVER gone to a man.
I have no desire to have a man down there

Joe is the only man that has ever been there so do you understand my freak attack.

Not to mention that the doctor has an intern with him.

So, the nurse comes back and delivers the bad news… “Yes, he has to”.

I am now in a full on panic.

Sweating

Stressing

Freaking out!

Finally after 30 minute the Resident Doc comes in and introduced herself

She asked me about the pregnancy and cyst and all the normal stuff.

I of course address the fact that I am not comfortable with the internal

And ask why he needs to do one

She says to me, “he does this all the time”

And I am like, “NOT worried about his ability worried about a HE down there”
Also, Not sure what he is going to find…

And She says, “he needs to feel around!”

AGAIN I am like WHAT!?

What and HOW is he going to feel the cyst when he can only go so far and my ovary is all the way up by my boobs!?
So she leaves

Now I am pissed that she thinks I am ridiculous, and she talked down too me plus stressed out about this internal with a man.

I am in a FULL ON SWEAT!

Sticking to the table.

Another 30 min goes by.

I have been half naked for an hour now.

Sweating

Dr Silver and his entourage come in!

Not 1, Not 2, But 3 PEOPLE!

I am like HOLY $*%^!

I have to get in the stirrups for 3 PEOPLE!?

What is this? A peep show.

And again… WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SEE, FEEL ETC????
He sits down looks me in the eyes and sweaty face and say

“Oh! Now that I see you, you are pregnant. We don’t have to do an internal!”

What the F!!!!!!
Are you serious!?

Are you for real!?

I can not believe you people put me through that.

And the dumb resident too.

Clearly I am relived

Then he says, what is the reason you are here!?

Come on. Read my chart.

But I am all stressed and start rambling about insane things

I actually left there feeling like a complete IDIOT!

However, we got down to business about the cyst and all goes well.

He was VERY nice and nurse that was with them was a doll.

She just laughed at me and said you will be fine, you are not insane.

All and all it was a fine visit except for all the stress.

The poor baby was moving all around.

THE VISIT WITH THE HIGH RISK DOC… DR ARALIDI

What a fantastic man.

He was so sweet.

And he told me about everything that he was looking at

He said the baby looked fantastic

The placenta and the fluid look perfect

She is in the 49% for her weight and length

And I got a great 3D photo of her

The cyst is 10x7x7

Which means it has not grown or shrunk

He talked to me about different options

Removing it vs watching it

And how it could go away on its own

About delivery

So all in all a wonderful visit.

I just loved him.

OUR LITTLE LADY

Is getting big

I am feeling her all the time.

Last night I felt her little butt with my hand (1/11/09)
It was so little

I saw Dr Adibi today (1/12/09)

He was all business so I was in and out

But I told him I thought I felt her head last night

And he asked me where

I pointed and he was like… there? Felt my belly and goes

The head is here, the arms are here, the legs are here and the butt is here

You felt her butt.

I was so impressed.

All he did was lightly touch my stomach

He listened to her heartbeat but she keep kicking right where the Doppler was

And he is like she is very active

And I said… I KNOW!

When I sit still you can see my stomach just jumping around.

I think we are going to have our hands full.

MISC STUFF

The shower details are getting worked out.

Cyst, More Pics and Yes, It Is A Girl - For Sure!

THE CYST SAGA CONTINUES:
I went to the Perinatologist.
Which is a High Risk Doctor.
I got a Level II Ultrasound.
Which means they check more things on the baby.
However, I was sent there because of the cyst not the baby.
Joe and I got to see the whole ultrasound on a big screen facing us.
At all the other Ultrasounds we got a glimpse here and there.
IT WAS SO COOL!
Anyway, the tech and Dr Bell were great.
He said the baby looks perfect.
We are now 100% sure it is a girl.
The cyst has not grown but it has not shrunk either.
And the are positive it is not cancerous.
It is just large and filled with liquid.
So... I have three options.
1. Remove it now (go under the knife).
2. Continue monitoring it.
3. Get a second option on it.
Dr Hamilton (my OB/GYN) called me today (11/20/08).
And we all feel - "if it is not broke don't fix it."
So... They are sending me to a Gyno/Oncologist.
DON'T PANIC... there is NO cancer!
They will be able to look more closely at the cyst
And see it in more detail
Which will help us know more about it.
This is just a precautions and there is not reason to be alarmed.
So, at this moment we are monitoring the cyst and the baby is fine.
No surgery at this point.
As far as removing, it if it does not go away on its own,
There is the option of C-Section - removing baby and cyst (my personal favorite)
Or having the baby and monitoring it after.
Where it could then be removed if need be.
However, there is concern about the cyst twisting the ovary.
Which is very, very painful and I would have to have emergency surgery.
And another issue is that your ovary is the size of an almond
And the cyst is 10cm (clearly way bigger than the ovary)
And there is a possibility that the ovary may not be able to be saved.
Which for me would mean - no more babies.
They can not harvest your eggs while you are pregnant
Because they are different during pregnancy (not able to be fertilized)
So... with that being said, we are monitoring and taking it one day at a time.
We would like to do what is best to preserve the only ovary I have.
So, that is that.
No need to worry
Just pray that the cyst goes away or if it needs to be removed that the ovary stays.
And if that is not the case then a least we were able to have one baby.
So, it will make her even more special.

ULTRASOUND PICTURES
Like I said the ultrasound was very cool.
And we got to see our little lady in 3D - FOR FREE!
Normally you have to pay to get these photos so... here they are!
Click on them to read my notes and see her more clearly...
(The 3D ones are the last 3)
Note: Be Forewarned there is a little baby porn here.







Here are the 3D photos:







THE LATEST EXCITEMENT
So last night felt the baby moving
I put my hand on my stomach and...
I felt her on the outside!
It was really strange.
I tried to get Joe to feel it but he said he felt nothing!
BOO HOO!
I want him to feel it to!!!
I guess soon enough I will be ready for it all to be over.
So until than...

THE WEEKS
When I first wrote this... I was 19 weeks
When I finally posted this... I am 21 weeks and 3 days.
A little over halfway thru! Yikes.

THE UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS
Now I have to go to the High Risk doctor about once a month (Dr. Bell)
My normal monthly check up where I will meet Dr Landes.
AND the Gyno/Oncologist (Dr. Silver)
All my appointments are in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of December.
So, stay tuned!

AND SO!?

NOTE: Click on all photos to veiw larger!

THE VERDICT

The ultrasound tech is 95% sure it's a... GIRL!
So there still is a chance that in 3 weeks or so they could see a wiener.
But she felt pretty positive.

THE FEELINGS
I thought I would be more excited.
But a little piece of me mourns for the boy.
I know that sounds insane.
But I had myself convinced it was a boy.
I liked my ideas for the nursery.
And I was accepting life with a boy.
Thinking about my friends with boys.
And how they could grow up together.
Clearly making all these decision way too soon.
But I was preparing.
And honestly I wanted a girl more than a boy.
So I was trying to gear myself up for a boy.
I think, however, both Joe & I would be great with a girl.
Joe will be an AMAZING dad either way.
And you should see him with our friend's girls.
They all run to him and beg him to play games, and teach them things.
He will be sitting alone at a gathering one minute and
Then all these little girls will be jumping on him
And than he'll have them on a nature hunt gathering butterflies
Or playing a soft ball or something.
It makes me smile every time.
And he was always amazing with his girl cousins.
Personally I think he likes them better. :)
The best part about girls is they can be tom boys.
I am sure Joe will have her...
hiking, fishing, hunting, learning about nature, playing ball with her and so on.
And when he holds her for the first time it will be love.
I am POSITIVE she will have him wrapped around her finger in no time.

THE BABY
I think I am finally feeling la petite bebe.
Which is very exciting.
And from the last two ultrasounds this bebe is everywhere!
The tech yesterday also made a comment about how active she it.
I love it.
Here are some photos from yesterdays ultrasound.






THE BELLY SHOTS

So not cute.
I feel like a fatty.
DO NOT WISH FOR BOOBS!
They are OVERRATED!
And they make you look fatter!
Hollywood has ruined normal sized girls.
Take it from me.
I am a professional in the boob department!

However, I love this picture...
I think it is much more flattering and cutter than the other shots!

THE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
THE JOKER
Joe was the Joker.
I think he looked great!
He did all the makeup by himself.
And we were late for our party.
But it was AWESOME!
What do you think?


THE CAT
I was a fat cat... LOL
Seriously I was a black cat.
Very original since that is Joe's nickname for me... CAT!


THE SHORT LOCKS
Here is a better shot of my short hairs.


THE WEEKS
17 weeks, 2 days today (11/4/08)

THE UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS
I get to meet Dr Boylan on November 18th
And I am sure I will have a 20week ultrasound.
They were not able to see a few things on this one that they have to have.
Plus they still are monitoring my cyst
And I will have more info on that at this appointment.

New Happenings

THE SECOND DOCTORS APPOINTMENT:
Was last night (10/20/08)
I meet Dr Hamilton.
She was very sweet and she does not remind me of a doctor.
She knows my little friend Britt.
So we gossiped for a bit.
She answered all my questions.
Even though I was muss brain.
And could not think at all.
But I like everyone there.
I really hope she is the one who is on when I birth this child.
She did tell me that in my ultrasound they found a cyst on my ovary.
Larger than normal (10cm)
It is called a Corpus Luteum Cyst
I apparently can not get away from this issue.
She said I was not to worry or be alarmed.
This type of cyst is brought on by pregnancy.
And it is normal.
I do not have to lose sleep over it.
She just wants to monitor it.
Here is an article about it: CLICK HERE to read it.
Honestly no need to be alarmed or panic.
Everyone develops them during your period.
Then they go away if you do not conceive.
So the good news is that I get to have another ultrasound on Nov 3rd!
And while they are checking out the cyst I will find out the sex of the bebe! YEAH!
And the name war can hopefully end.
Let it be a girl. :)
Or whatever... *sigh*

THE NAME CHANGE:
We have decide to X both Felix and Killian.
Thank you for voting and giving us your 2 cents.
It truly helped and it was fun to see that K was the winner with 68%!
F got 16% of the vote and Other got 24%.
Clearly F was not a great success.
But it is does mean happy which is sweet.
As you know my vote was for K.
Which is Gaelic
Meaning: War; Strife; Bright-Headed
And the best part... in 2007 was only ranked 836.
Very uncommon - something I really want in a name.
And, I personally think KILLER would be an awesome nickname
I would give him a mohawk and dress him in black.
He would be so cute.
My little Killer.
But I think we are going to go with something a little more...
HIPPIE/EARTHY
Which honestly is more up my alley.
So with that being said.
We have a new name.
But....we are not sharing. HA!
As of right now if it is a girl
I think we are still sticking with what we've got.
Only a few more weeks until we do find out... so stay tuned!

THE FEELINGS:
Well I have been nauseous lately.
I am currently out-of-the-woods so to speak
Since I am officially in my 2nd trimester but apparently
For me that means I now throw up.
AWESOME!
This needs to end or seriously I am not doing it again!
Oh and I am being such a BITCH to everyone.
I feel terrible.
So if you have felt my nastiness
I am SO SORRY!
Please forgive me.
I need to be better at this and everyday in the shower I promise myself:
Today is the day.
But I am just lying.
So maybe you will say prayers for my nasty attitude and HORRIBLE mouth!
Joe is being a saint.
Considering my meanness.
He is still super excited.
But he has a lot on his plate these days.
He is working full time and going to school full time.
So he is pulling an April and filling up that plate!
I am really proud of him for working so hard.
And I do not tell him enough!
But he is going to be super dad.
And he is working to make a better life for us.
And I am soooo PROUD! :)
This is apparently my apology letter. LOL!

THE NEW NEWS:
I cut my hairs.
And Mr Lee HATES them.









I think it is cute but I miss the long locks.
Thank God it grows fast!
My bestest Julie cut them and she did a good job.
You should check her out at Elements of Hair 215-345-7801
Here is a picture with my 2 friends Kelly and Mary at Mary's daughters birthday.
Where there were 4 pregnant ladies.
Which is totally ridiculous!
It is clearly in the water!
Since about 15 of my friend are or just had a baby!

THE MUSIC:
Check out the music.
There are lots of songs.
So scroll thru them.
I hope you enjoy a little diddy while you read.
I am, of course, constantly updating it with new songs.
So check back frequently.

THE UPCOMING EVENTS:
Blood Work: Tomorrow (Oct 22nd)
Next Doctors Appointment: November 18th with Dr. Boylan
Next Ultrasound: November 3rd

THE WEEKS:
I am 15 weeks, 2 days (today 10/21/08)

THE UNRELATED INFO BUT STILL ABOUT ME:
I am teaching quilting classes for kids at...
Quilters Remedy in Red Hill.
I am teaching a "Block of the Month"
Here is all the 411:
Come join this fun once-a-month class. Each month there will be a different block, with instruction on how to create it. This class is designed for 7-18 year olds. Each month there will be a kit to purchase with all materials needed; price may vary depending on the blocks. This class will meet the 3rd Saturday of each month starting in October (we will skip December and resume in January). Please note that each date needs to be signed up for separately.
Dates: 11/15
Time: 2:00-4:30
Instructor: April Lee
Sessions: 1
Fee: $12.00
Class Size: Minimum 3, Max 6
If you know anyone that is interested please forward the info.
Call 215.679.8170 or check out their site: http://www.quiltersremedy.com

AND...

My work, The Ambler Theater is hosting a Halloween Festival.
We will be playing numerous Halloween Films between now and Halloween.
And we are having a Halloween double feature & costume competition w/prizes
Halloween night (Oct 31st) at 11:00pm!
If you can come - come cause I am judging the costume competition!
It is $7.50 to get in - you get pizza & candy plus 2 movies, tons of fun & ME!
Check out the website by CLICKING HERE!
So take the kids out and then swing by and play with me!