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.  

Christmas

 After spending the past three Christmas holidays in Oregon with Don's family, we decided to stay in Tacoma this year with my family.  We had a great Christmas.  Both Christmas Eve and Day were spent at my parent's house with my younger brother, Tony, Heather, Jacob and Alyssa, Heather's parents and my parents.  After dinner and family time on Christmas Eve we went to Mass at St. Leo's.  We spent the early part of Christmas day here at our house with the dogs.  Santa was very good to LadyBug and Lola.  We headed to mom & dad's in the early afternoon for a late lunch and then helped with dinner preparations.  

For those of you who have been requesting a belly shot, you'll see one to the left.  

I hope your holiday was peace filled and merry, 

~B

Baby's doing well....

We had another ultrasound yesterday morning. Last month, Peanut was measuring in the 36th percentile for growth. Yesterday she was in the 35th - not bad. They measured all of her parts and pieces and everything is right on track and they released from Maternal/Fetal Medicine. We can now do ultrasounds at each of my office visits to monitor her growth with the 2 vessel cord.

Yesterday afternoon we had our monthly appointment with my OB. She is really happy with our progress and Peanut's growth. I was thrilled to see I've only gained 7 lbs.! I'm eating like a horse, but this making a person stuff uses a lot of energy. Our next visit and ultrasound will be January 20th.

Daddy's little girl kicks...literally

So I got to feel the baby kick for the first time this week, what a difference.  It seemed that she was something in the far distance and would be here when she gets here.  Well that has all changed now, she IS here.  It's a very special thing that I was not expecting, I can't really describe it but it's kind of like growing up in a way.  It becomes real.  I know that sounds funny but there it is.  My daughter is on the way and I can't wait to meet her.  Love to you all.

Don

drum roll please.............

At our last ultrasound appointment we found our Peanut is a GIRL! We would have been thrilled either way, but it is fun to know. She is measuring right on track for growth and development. We have another ultrasound scheduled for December 22nd. We have a single artery umbilical chord (normal is 1 vein, 2 arteries. ours is 1 vein, 1 artery.) We are not getting alarmed, we just have to watch her closely to be certain she continues to grow and develop on schedule. So, we will be having an ultrasound at just about every check-up. Should we see that she is not growing at the rate she should, we will all consult and decide if she would be better on the outside in the NICU. But, we are hopeful that our little miracle will continue to amaze us all.

Please keep your fingers crossed and send positive thoughts for Don's job hunt. There is an opening at Benaroya Hall that Don is perfectly qualified for, would challenge him, use his talents to their fullest, and it would be a step up from what he had been doing. The union rep is going to hand delivering Don's resume and show list to the team at Benaroya on Thursday.

Well, I got rid of the nausea, but my IC (bladder disease) has spiked. So much so that I have puzzled my urologist. He's not encountered another patient like me. He's thrilled and up for the challenge, I'm not so happy about being a guinea pig! We are trying all kinds of treatments, but so far nothing is working. I'll be seeing a physical therapist on the 22nd in hopes that she will be able to help calm the pelvic floor muscles that are in constant spasm due to the bladder irritation. I'll keep you posted. Luckily, the IC does not affect Peanut or my uterus.

Be well,

~Barba

A turning point...

YEAH!  I've gone 1 whole week without feeling nauseous.  Just as everyone one said it would, the symptom lifted magically last Friday as we hit the 16 week mark.  I am so thankful.  I'm hoping the exhaustion lifts as well.  

We are now 17 weeks along.  Peanut weighs about 5 oz and is about 5 inches long from head to bum.  (about the size of a turnip.)  My belly is popping out more and more, but I've still only gained a few pounds.  We are getting excited for the next ultrasound on the 24th.  We are hoping to find out if Peanut is a girl or a boy.

A few of you know I've taken up knitting.  (Thanks, Meg!!)  I was getting the hang of things and was really on a roll until I had a mishap this week with a paper cutter.  I'm fine.  I sliced my left thumb at the first knuckle pretty good.  Nothing 3 1/2 hours in the ER can't put back together.  (Yes, there are perks working for a hospital.  But speedy service in the ER is not one of them.)  They Dermabonded my laceration and splinted it for a few days so I don't split it open again.  The Dermabond will help protect the site from infection much better than a butterfly or even stitches would have.  The bonus, any pregnant woman who presents in the ER can't be released without a fetal heart tone.  SO, I got to hear Peanut's little heart this week.  A strong, normal 152 beats per minute.  I checked in with Occ. Health today.  I'm healing so well the Dr. let me take the splint off.  Now I can get back to knitting.  

Love to you all, 

~B