I've been meaning to post for a week now, but have not had the time to scan the latest ultrasound photos and upload them - so, I'll give you all the scoop and add the photos later.  

Last Tuesday we had lab work, another ultrasound and a visit with my OB-GYN.  The glucose test came back normal - yeah.  But, my hematocrit level is low, I'm anemic, and I have to take an additional iron supplement - yuck.  I was a little bummed to hear this.  After years of anemia I had gotten things under control about a year ago thanks to acupuncture and diet.   

The ultrasound was the best part of the day.  We love seeing/hearing Peanut's heart beat, watching her move, and checking in on her progress.  Her organs look great, she has a cute oval shaped head, and we even got a photo of her face.  Just as we had hoped and prayed for, the single artery of the umbilical cord has doubled in size.  It is now doing the work of 2 arteries (what a 'normal' umbilical cord has.)  The ultrasound tech took measurements of Peanut's femur, abdomen, and head and plugged those into a matrix which tells us where she is on the growth chart.  The last 2 months she had been in the 36th and 35th percentile.  This month, with the increase in that artery's capability, she's in the 5oth percentile!!  Now, that is a bit skewed as Peanut has SUPER long legs (she's taking after her Mom and Nana!) and the femur measurement is probably throwing off the calculation a bit.  Nonetheless, she's growing and looks to be out of the woods.  The tech estimated her weight at 2 lbs. 3 oz.  We will continue to monitor her with an ultrasound at every office visit, but we are feeling really good about her progress.  

Now, some even better news.... Don has a second interview with the Mariners tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 9 am.  Wish him well, he's really nervous.  It has been nearly 2 weeks since his first interview.  They want to wrap things up and make a decision by the end of the week.  He also heard back from Benaroya Hall.  The hold up on their end has been due to a member of the interview team (the guy who has since left the organization and it is his old job they are filling) buying a house in LA.  He's back now and they plan to make some decisions by the end of the week as well.  Again, fingers crossed, candles lit, whatever it takes...  

Thanks so much for your support.  I know I'm slow at posting.  I'll try to be better. 

Love you all, 

~Barba

When it rains...

Well yes, it is raining cats and dogs here, but that's not what I'm referring to.  Don and the Village Theatre went their separate ways the end of September.  It has been a tough 3+ months.  Good news, Don has been working as a contractor for the new Showare Center in Kent since the 29th of December.  (the new hockey arena for the Seattle ThunderBirds)  He didn't really interview for the job, just had a few email and cell phone conversations before reporting to training to find out he is the lead on the sound team!  OK... at that point there had been no discussion of job responsibilities, compensation, benefits - you know, the small stuff.  

Late in November we heard the sound designer at Benaroya Hall in Seattle was leaving in January.  Don applied for the job, did some great follow up, connected with the union rep... but the snow hit and downtown Seattle SHUT DOWN.  Then, the entire Benaroya/Seattle Symphony staff went on holiday break for two weeks.  Don was about to crawl out of his skin with anticipation.  

Early December, Don heard that the Mariners were searching for a sound guy so he tossed his resume into the mix and waited to see what happened....  

Meanwhile, the last 2 weeks he was been enjoying running sound for the hockey team and for the various UW sports.  It wasn't full-time work, but things were looking better for us financially and Don was feeling good about the work he was doing.  

Fast forward now to yesterday.  Don got an email from the team at Benaroya.  They wanted to schedule him for an interview either Thursday or Friday of this week with a quick phone interview yesterday or today.  Don was supper stoked to get the first interview Thursday morning at 9:00.  The Benaroya gig would challenge him professionally, use his theater experience well, and would be a step up from what he had been doing with the Village Theatre in Issaquah.  He was trying not to get to excited. 

Today, while talking with the contact from Benaroya, Don got a call from the Mariners!!  He has an interview with them Friday at 1:00.  He is over the moon.  After 3+ months of being out of work and wondering what was in store for him, he is encouraged.  He has a great shot at either of the jobs.  Both would be full-time with benefits.  Both would challenge him and would be solid career moves.  Please send him lots of positive thoughts and keep him in your prayers.  It is going to be a very big week to 10 days here.