Audrey's echo test

Today I went to my fetal echo test to take a closer look at Audrey's heart.  I'll go ahead and say...her heart is perfect!

The exam was scheduled for 2:30pm today down in Kendall, which is about 45 minutes away. Andrew decided to work from home this afternoon so Addison could nap. So that was a relief not to have to take her to the doctor during her normal nap time! Well, the doctor's office called to postpone my appointment to 3:15 because they were running behind. Once I got there I waited until 5:30 to get called back! There was a 2 year old girl in the waiting room who already had 2 open heart surgeries in her little life span. So when they told me Audrey's heart looked healthy I cried tears of joy! The ultrasound technician and doctor were both very good. They took their time to explain everything and were well worth the wait! The doctor wants to see Audrey at 3 months old to check on a few things, but she isn't worried at all about her heart. 

Half Way there!

We are already half way through this pregnancy! We had a doctor appointment this week and Audrey sounded good, 158 bpm.  I've gained 7 pounds, which is less than I gained with Addison at this point, but the doctor said not to worry. On Wednesday I have the fetal echo exam of Audrey's heart. Please pray that it goes well! 

Addison and I have been going to a Play and Learn Gymboree class on Fridays for a few weeks now.  She seems to enjoy it and I think once she is more familiar with the songs and routine of the class she will like it even more.

Crooks Cousins

This weekend we got to see Shanna, David and Lacey, and their three children.  It was fun to see them hangout together and their different personalities! 

I love my 22 month year old!

Some things I love about Addison today, my 22 month old:

• As the video above shows, that she now prefers to go down the slide on her belly!
• How when her hands are dirty, she says "deya" and goes to the bathroom sink on her own to wash her hands.
• The way she eats and loves raspberries. She sticks her finger in the hole like you would with a black olive!
• Her huge appetite. The past 6 months or so she has been more picky, but just recently her appetite has increased and she asks for more at every meal. Now I just need her to like more veggies.
• How much she enjoys art materials. Today she used markers and helped me decorate a huge box with windows, flowers, a doorknob and a mailbox.
• Her excitement about colors. Addison completely surprised Andrew and I last month when she could identify all the colored lights on her Christmas tree. She knows: blue, orange, red, yellow, green, purple, and black.
• Her sweet nature...let's hope she doesn't get mean and jealous when baby Audrey comes.
• Her strange language development.  Addison talks a lot at home, but she has created her own words for some things.  For example, shoes = doda, orange = orda.
• Hearing her say the dog's names, "tella" and "oola".
• When she gets so involved in her water table that she decides to dip her feet in.  
• How cute she looks in pigtails! 
• When I tell the dogs to sit in the elevator, she sits too.

It's a girl!

We had our second ultrasound today (18 weeks) and found out we are expecting a girl! Audrey Diane Ritter!

I wanted another girl and Andrew wanted a boy, but he is excited for another girl and for Addison to have a sister. Andrew and I really only want to have two children, so I think it's bittersweet either way.  I think every little girl grows up wanting to have a daughter and every little boy grows up wanting to have a son one day.

At this appointment they also measured all the organs and checked the placenta and umbilical cord.  They found that I had a two vessel umbilical cord instead of the normal three. So just one artery and one vein.  The doctor said there are three concerns with this abnormality.  The first being a chromosomal issue, but because my first trimester screening all came back normal and low risk she was not worried (although those tests are not 100% accurate). The next is a heart defect. The ultrasound did not show any heart problems, but they want to schedule an echo test to be sure. The last concern is a restricted growth rate.  They will have me in for an extra ultrasound on my 28th week to monitor the baby's growth.  

Like any expecting mother, I'm still praying that the baby will be completely healthy and I will try not to worry about the what ifs, but I do ask you to please join me in prayer.

Audrey or Aiden?

2013!!!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE SISTER!

 

Happy New Year!  2013 will be another exciting year for us I'm sure!

 

Luckily Andrew and I had a Modern Family disc to watch from Netflix or I don't think I could have made it to midnight...pathetic I know.  We were able to see 5 different firework shows from our balcony!  It was loud!  Addison stirred a little, but somehow was able to sleep through it. 

 

Today we went to Crandon Beach on Key Biscayne and it was absolutely beautiful...reminded us why we wanted to move back to Florida.

 

I love her cute new shorts from Grandpa and Grandma Barber!