26 Weeks and Counting

So yesterday was Lincoln's first doctor visit in a month...time seemed to fly but also to drag! We were so excited for the opportunity to see our little man again! I feel so much like I already know him as he is always with me and kicking around like crazy, but I feel bad that Tommy still hasn't been able to feel his kicks. Not unusual with my children, as Rocco liked to play oppossum when his daddy tried to feel his movements, too. Was reassured at the appointment yesterday that Tommy should be able to feel him very soon :)

Now, on for the news everyone has been waiting for! When we left the doctor we felt like we had a really great appointment. Everyone seemed really happy to see us (I know, most likely my imagination again!), and we were just happy to be there. Lincoln's ultrasound went really well. We had our favorite ultrasound tech, and now that there is an actual diagnosis it seems like everyone is more willing to tell us information. I guess there is less of a liability that they might tell us something incorrect than before, or else they have just gotten more accustomed to us and all of our questions :) Here is a rundown of all of the particulars:

1. Cerebellum - At last appointment, the cerebellum measured four weeks behind. This time, it only measured three weeks behind, so we had a little bit of "catch-up". Praise God for small blessings!

2. Fetal Bladder and Kidneys - Look good. Ultrasonographer said that if she was measuring any other 26 week old that had the same size kidneys/bladder as Lincoln's that they would be classified as normal. Praise God!

3. Growth is right on track for a baby of his gestational age. He weighed in at a whopping 1 lb. 13 oz., so almost two full pounds already. I knew the kicks were getting harder, but geesh! I guess I have been expecting a "small for term" baby as they like to say, but they said he was right on track for growth. He did measure 30th percentile, which is alot smaller than Rocco ever was, but I am hoping that means as easier delivery :) Overall, they were very happy with his growth pattern.

4. Amniotic fluid looks good, blood flow in the cord still good. Everything appears to be stable!

5. No evidence of a cleft lip. We saw his little face and he just looked so sweet!

6. Heart - Only area that had not been closely looked at previously. From all appearances, valves, etc. seem to be working fine. No holes or abnormalities of that type were seen. The right side of the heart did appear slightly enlarged, so a stenosis is expected at some place, but very unlikely that we will be able to see on ultrasound (a stenosis is just a narrowing of an artery somewhere). I think when she told us there was a stenosis that she didn't expect us to know what that was....but, being the medically minded people that we are (ha!), we knew from experience with none other than our dog! Our dog is a miracle dog in his own right and the story is too long to share here, but basically he is a walking miracle, too! Therefore, from our experience with the dog, we know that proper treatment can alleviate the symptoms of a stenosis in some cases to prevent surgical intervention.  I guess in the grand scheme of things, this didn't seem like such a big deal, and we will just watch it and wait to see what happens. I know, it sounds ridiculous to not be worrying about a heart issue, but we are learning to not sweat the small stuff. Right now, Lincoln's survival is first and foremost on our minds. We'll deal with whatever comes after that.

One very sweet thing that touched me about the ultrasound was regarding Lincoln's little baby feet. For some reason at night when I am sleepy and trying to fall asleep, I unconsciously rub my feet together. I have always done this and I guess it must be comforting to me. I don't even realize I am doing it until Tommy will stick his foot over on my feet and pin them down because I am "making the covers move too much" with my feet rubbing. I think it must be an inherited trait, because my mom also does this :) So we are watching the ultrasound and trying to get a good look at Lincoln's feet, only to discover that he has one foot on top of the other and appears to be rubbing his feet together. When the sonographer commented on it, Tommy and I both smiled and told her about my bizarre habit. Seems that he definitely inherited this from his mommy! We even got a little picture of his feet on top of each other. Already so much like his momma, bless his sweet heart!

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday and celebrated our Risen Savior, and then on Easter evening Tommy surprised me with tickets to Cirque du Soleil as an early birthday present. It was very loud in the arena, and I swear Lincoln has never kicked quite so much as he did during the show. He must have been ultra stimulated by all of the loud noise and the bright flashing lights, not to mention the very cold Sprite that I was sipping! I just never tire of feeling him rustle around in my belly.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention my answered prayer! As I had said in the last post, I was pretty sure that Lincoln had turned head down...and he has! I know it is still early, but I was relieved and thankful to God for providing me that sense of peace. I was worried because from alot of literature I have read, babies with special needs often can't figure out how to turn in the womb for some reason. Now I know for sure that Lincoln can and will, as I am sure he is going to be rolling around happily for several weeks to come before he settles into his final birthing position. Still, I praise God for small blessings!

Please continue to pray for baby Lincoln. We are praying for God's will in his life, and just asking that if it be His will, that Lincoln be healed of Trisomy 13. We continue to pray for what is best for Lincoln regardless of what happens. I continue to be inspired and encouraged by stories of survival and hope, a good example of which is Bella Santorum. Please keep this child in your prayers as well as she was recently released from the hospital for complications from Trisomy 18. Regardless of political affiliation, the Santorum family has been an advocate for the children affected by trisomies, and I am thankful to hear of their story of hope and faith in regards to their little girl.

Also at our appointment, a very pregnant woman walked into the office with her wallet and none other than her pack of Marlboro reds. I was so disgusted and thought "REALLY?" Have you no shame? Then God laid it on my heart to pray for her and her baby. Her name was Kristin. Please join me in lifting her up. We don't know the situation, but God does, and he knows her baby as well. I pray for the baby's health and safekeeping, too.

I continue to be amazed at the blessings being poured over me and Tommy during this time. Someone shared a story with me today about a man who was going thru alot of storms. He was deep in the valley, but he was so excited and happy about being there. When asked why, he replied that he knew that he would be marching up the mountain soon, and that God had wonderful plans for his journey up the side of the hill and to the top. Wow, what a wonderful testimony of how we should praise God in our darkest hours! I pray that His grace and mercy would cover me in my darkest times so that I might continue to sing His praises and realize that His plan for me will be worth it all in the end.

With love, hope for Lincoln, and faith in His plan...