An Explanation

I figured it was about time I finally explained my infrequent blogging over the past several months. I think I have a pretty good excuse. No I'm not entirely lazy, but it does have to due with a lack of energy, or should I say extra energy. All of my extra energy has gone into trying to keep my house some what decent, spending time with my kids, getting them out of the house once in awhile, keeping the laundry caught up, doctor appointments, and occasionally fixing dinner for my family. I'm so extremely lucky to have a husband who doesn't mind doing the majority of the cooking and yes, I make sure he knows it is appreciated.

So without any further delay here is my excuse. (2/16/10 - 8 weeks 4days) We are all very excited to be adding a little one to our family. My friends' babies are once again safe - Noah will be getting his own baby very soon. My due date is September 24th.Here is a better look at our little one (12w4d). I was sent in for NT (neural tube) testing this time around given my medical history of Gestational Diabetes and I have a cousin who had a baby with Spinal Bifida. I can't believe how much technology has improved since the births of my other two kids. I was amazed at how much detail we could see, so early on. In some cases they can even determine the sex at this point. Or tech, who is actually a Perinatologist, wasn't confident enough to call it. She thought it was definitely a boy from one view point, but when she changed angles she wasn't too sure. As she put it she didn't like the "angle of the dangle. " However, Dan caught her telling one of the nurses that she was 70% sure it was a boy. I was okay with that - I knew it was really early, but I had a feeling since day 1 that it was a boy. (I was right with my other two)

Here is the most recent glimpse at our little one (19w3d). This was a standard growth scan and in depth echo cardiogram of the heart. All thanks to Gestational Diabetes. Yep, I have it this time around too, they tested me at 9 weeks, instead of the standard 24 -26 weeks. Since this is my 3rd time with Gestational Diabetes they are monitoring the baby's growth and my sugars a lot more closely this time around. In addition to my regular OB visits, I see a Perinatologist, and I consult with a Diabetes Nurse Educator on a weekly basis. They have done a few extra blood tests and I will have growth scans every 6 to 8 weeks. I will also be starting daily kick counts at 28 weeks and twice weekly Non Stress Tests at around 32 weeks. With all this extra attention, it makes me wonder how my other two ever survived without it.

A bonus of this latest scan was that we got to find out the gender. We will be adding a little boy to the mix. The kids are both very excited to have a baby brother. When asked what they would prefer, prior to finding out, Noah was adamant that you couldn't choose and Zoe stated she wanted a boy, since Noah already had a sister. So, they are both thrilled. Noah will have a brother to play cars with in a few years and Zoe can be the one and only Princess in the family. I wasn't surprised by this news and I am proud to say I have called the gender on all 3 pregnancies. I think it will be a good mix for our family: Noah gets to be the big brother, Zoe gets to be the only girl, and the new baby will be the little brother, everyone will have there own special role in the family. Here's a picture showing us he is a boy. (look at the bottom, just about center) The tech was trying to get a better shot at his face - he gave us a little bonus.

This has probably come as a shock to many of our friends and family. Those who know of our history, know what a long and difficult road it has been to get to this point (a future blog post). We didn't tell our parents until around 9 or 10 weeks, some close friends found out around 16 weeks when I could no longer hide my changes in eating habits and regular monitoring of my blood sugar. We didn't really make an official announcement until we found out the gender. We were amazed that the kids kept a secret for so long. They were told pretty early on, to explain why I laid on the couch so much, was so nauseous, had to change my eating habits, had to check my blood sugar, and needed them to be extra helpful. I also had to explain why I was going to the doctor so often. As of today May 28th, I am 23 weeks along. I am controlling my blood sugar with diet, exercises, and metformin. My c-section is scheduled for Friday, September 17th @ 7:30 am. I have lost 18 pounds. Most of all after several weeks of deliberation we have finally agreed on a name for our little one.

Jackson Taylor McDonald

(Right now his nicknames are "Baby Jack" and "Jack Jack")