Saturday, January 30, 2016

37 Week Update on Baby #2

Our due date (Feb 16th) is quickly approaching! Here are some updates on how Baby #2 is doing with life in the womb:
  • 34 week appointment: I found out that I was measuring about 2 weeks behind and would have an ultrasound at my next appointment. This wasn't a huge concern, but the doctors wanted to be proactive and make sure everything was okay with the baby. 
  • 36 week appointment: My ultrasound revealed that the baby is on the smaller side but he's doing well. However, my amniotic fluid level was also on the small side. The doctor called this a "borderline concern"- not low enough to raise any red flags, but they definitely need to keep an eye on it. 
  • 37 week appointment: Another ultrasound showed no change from last week and my fluid levels were still pretty low. So the good news is that it didn't get worse! 
Because of these appointments, I will have an ultrasound and a non-stress test each week to check on the baby. If my fluid levels continue to be low or get any lower, I may be induced early. As of now, I am still measuring several weeks behind. 

We are praying that the baby would be healthy and safe. We are also praying that I would go into labor naturally before needing to be induced, and for a safe labor and delivery. I am *really* hoping to not be induced- I'd rather the baby just come when he is ready!

One benefit to all of this is that we get to see our little guy more often! Here are some ultrasound photos from our 36 week appointment. He has a little hand up by his face, and his face is pressed against up against me, so the pictures look a little strange. :) We don't have any photos from the 37 week ultrasound but it was fun to see him then too: he kept sticking his tongue out!

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Update on 2/3/15:
I wanted to provide an update on this blog post after our most recent appointment. Yesterday I had my 38 week ultrasound and appointment. The baby is doing great! My fluid levels were back up to normal-woohoo! I no longer need weekly ultrasounds or non-stress tests. They are also no longer planning to induce me next week. We are so grateful for all of these answered prayers!
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Here's how the bump is looking these days: 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

December

December flew by! Here are some picture from December. Christmas photos are coming soon!

Our Christmas tree!
Colton's library class had a special puppet show for Christmas
"Colton, show me your mittens!"
Colton loves to hoard socks
Brian is Daddy and Husband of the Year - vacuuming while holding the toddler!
Grandpa Brian got Colton a special, personalized hat from his power plant
We took a trip to Target, where Colton discovered his love for Doc McStuffins band-aids
He was also very helpful at Buy Buy Baby- he carried the basket for us
Time to play trains without pants on
He loves his trains from Great Grandma Barb and Great Grandpa Mike!
Sometimes you just need to read a book while sitting in a duck
Colton is REALLY good at making messes... (yes, he moved that chair)
This is what happened when I tried to wash dishes one morning

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving in St. Louis with Brian's side of the family.

The weather was amazing- Thanksgiving Day was warm enough that we walked to the park for Colton to play. We also took him to the Science Center one day. Overall we enjoyed a lot of delicious food with family and friends!

Family Photos
Since we were all together, we got a Nicklaus family photo!
Our little family
Taking a break from pictures
Enjoying Grandma and Grandpa's House
He loved playing at Grandma and Grandpa's
Colton loved their kitty!
He found a chair that was just his size
Meal time!
Park (Thanksgiving Day)
As always, Colton loved playing at the park
There were some other people there playing soccer- he kept chasing after them
Exploring the playground
Juice break
Science Center
Learning about power
Help from Grandma Carol
Playing with Grandma and Grandpa
Helping to build a car
Playing with atoms, naturally
Watching Grandpa David build a tower
....Then Colton destroyed it
(I think Brian and David enjoyed building towers even more than Colton did!)
The destruction:
Colton helped build the arch
The finished product (before Colton destroyed it, obviously)
Travel
When packing, Colton wanted to make sure I packed enough socks for him.
On the drive to St. Louis, Colton fell asleep with a soccer ball on his head. Toddler are so strange.
Enjoying a meal at Subway on our way home


Thursday, January 7, 2016

November

Here is our life in photos from November!

Playing at the Park
Sliding with Daddy
All bundled up!
He ran after a dog. 

Library Classes
Giving Lilly Lamb a hug!
Ready to play and read!
Bubbles!
Trying to grab the bubbles
Brian joined us for a class on his day off
He loves bubbles so much!
He also enjoys puzzles at the library

Snow!
All ready to go in his winter coat.
Fascinated by the first snow of the year

Other Random Photos
At the mall playplace- he looooooves crawling into the treasure chest
The broom!
In early November the weather was so nice that we enjoyed snack time outside!
He found a stick and a rock. 
Just making a mess with baby wipes. 
He loves Daddy.
More Daddy love
Looking out the window (and looking so cute!)
We celebrated with our little friend Clive at his first birthday party! Colton was more than willing to help Clive play with his new toy. 
Colton got a new toy from Uncle Dyson and Aunt Hannah for being in their wedding. He loves it so much! 
Throwing one of his tantrums.
His first time riding in a super-cool grocery cart (there were even flames on the side.)
He knocked over our trashcan after mistakenly thinking that I had thrown away a granola bar. (...I only threw away the wrapper). 
Journaling deep toddler thoughts
Playing with his slide
Little Smurf!
Brian and his friend Dan went to a Rams game in Minnesota one weekend!
While we were unpacking our new Keurig, Colton decided that it was the perfect place to put three of his balls.
We had a Thanksgiving meal with our Community Group. Colton and his little friend Nolan loved playing in a box!
Boxes are the best!
Also, Colton enjoys eating socks