Look, he's smiling!
What can I say? We are SO in love with him already. On September 29th we went in for the big ultrasound. It was so exciting and wonderful to see him on the screen and realize what a miracle he is. He measured right on target for his due date, February 27th 2011. Then the big moment came where we saw his legs kicking about and, as we could see right at that moment, the ultrasound tech told us we're having a little boy! We both thought so and mentioned it many times before we found out. But there was something about that moment. I just felt so in love with my baby boy. It was just pure joy.
He was kicking and moving a lot during the ultrasound...which he's always been good at. I just adore him and love feeling him kick. He especially likes to kick when I eat strawberries. Hehe. He was so cute on the ultrasound (of course :) he kept licking his lips, sticking his tongue in and out. He must have been thinking about strawberries.
The ultrasound tech started looking closer at his feet and told us that she was going to have the doctor come in because she thought she saw that one of his feet was clubbed. Well the doctor came in (little did we know he was about to scare us like none other) and told us that he wanted to take a good look at our little boy. I started to worry a bit. Then he said that both his feet were clearly clubbed and that he'll need to be treated right after he's born. (If you look in the "I'm A Boy" picture you can tell that his feet are turned down and inward.) Fortunately it can be fixed so he'll be able to walk normally. He may just walk a little later than babies tend to. He'll most likely have surgery and start physical therapy from the time he's born. And he'll wear casts that go from his feet to the top of his legs for about 6 months. Then he'll wear a brace on his feet that looks like a little skateboard. We have decided to take him to Shriners Hospital. We're really grateful to have all the options of such great children's hospitals right here in Salt Lake City.
Well, as I was saying, the doctor told us about his clubbed feet. We think they're so cute and he's still perfect of course. But I felt sad that he'd have to go through the challenges of getting them fixed. Yet I was relieved that it was something they could correct. But the part that really scared me was when the doctor looked at his heart and told us about a bright spot, or calcium deposit in his heart called an echogenic cardiac focus. He said it's pretty common, but with the clubbed feet, it could indicate chromosomal abnormalities. They were especially markers for downs syndrome. Way to scare the crap out of the happy parents to be! I quickly came to terms that it's okay if he had downs, though I hope he doesn't so he can have an easier life. It was the other syndromes they told us about that are really severe that scared me, since those babies can't live. I grieved and struggled and focused on that...took the fun out of things. We went home and cried and worried so much.
They did a quad screen to look into the likely hood of down's syndrome and stuff. A couple days later, (which seemed like forever) my doctor (Dr. Watts) called and said they were normal and negative for an increased risk of down syndrome and it was only 1-2%. He also tried to reassure me not to worry about the other syndromes. Yet I still went to fearing the worst. I'm finally feeling better and being rational. I feel at peace when I focus on how his brain and spinal cord are normal, he has long legs, and measured perfectly. The chances of the chromosomal abnormalities are really low yet I still worry here and there. I have to try really hard to be positive and have faith that my little boy will be okay. Because he will! I'm having a follow up ultrasound to check on his heart in a couple weeks (they couldn't see the right ventricle well because he wouldn't hold still and kept moving). They also want to check on the bright spot.
If you're wondering what we're planning on naming him...well...we're not going to decide until he's born. It's kind of a battle between me and Larry as we don't quite agree. How do I explain this...Larry Allen II wants to name him Larry "Allen" III since his due date is on Larry Allen I's birthday. It does seem appropriate since his dad is in heaven and probably thought it was a wise choice for our little boy to be sent to us at this time. So I like it but I just wanted to choose his own unique name. I want to name him Hayden Elijah, which is a great name if I do say so myself ;) I have my reasons and meaning behind it to. Mostly because I always thought my first little boy would be named Hayden (then I met Mr. Larry and found out he may have other plans). But also because of the meaning of the name Elijah, after the prophet who had some strong characteristics that I'm convinced our little guy has.
I can't say how much we've appreciated all the prayers and support. It really has strengthened my testimony of the power of faith and prayer. We're so grateful for our family and friends who called to talk to us, came and visited, brought us meals, (and baby gifts for our sweet little guy) and helped us stay positive. We are so grateful that our Heavenly Father is entrusting us with such a precious son to raise and love as our own.
Now for more pictures of our preparations for our little BOY!
See he's growing and so am I!
I got him this little outfit. It's so fun to shop for him. It can take a little time though cuz he's special and I have to find him clothes without the built in feet. And they need to be loose enough to fit over his casts.
The nursery :D We've already gotten quite a bit done...we were too excited. It's coming along great! It's fun making a cute and cozy place for our little guy to relax in.
