"An Editor's Dream"

Apparently I am an editor's dream! He he he! The filming went well. It didn't take too long, and thankfully they had put a screen up so I couldnt' see the person filming me- only the lens of the camera. I did get choked up at one point, but I am happy to say I didn't start crying! I almost did! I am looking forward to getting a copy so I can see who else filmed. I know Kim Block, the news anchor, also participated. There are four or so other survivors and a doctor.

I hope for two things- I hope that at least one doctor sheds his or her bias that young people and women can't or mustn't be having a stroke or heart attack, and I hope that one woman learns to stick to her guns and insist for medical care when she knows something is wrong.

If more learn from this- great...but it only takes one person at a time to make this world become a better and safer place.

This Baby is a Blessing

Today I am getting filmed for a Maine Women's Heart Health video. They have asked me to share my story of my stroke and to educate women about the signs, etc. So I was going through some material they sent me, and I got thinking about how many ironies are around my due date. I hadn't actually taken out a calendar to see what the exact date of my stroke was--so I did. I had my stroke on February 20th, 2006. My due date is February 20th, 2008!

I was told I would never be able to have children because of the meds they wanted to put me on, and due to my persistance for the heart surgery- two years later---I am having a baby! I truly feel bleesed that God has given me this chance to be a mom, and to have the due date the same day I had my stroke---God has truly blessed me, and for that, I am forever grateful. Thank you God! (I am not saying I didn't think having this baby wasn't a blessing before because I did---I just feel it is even more special due to the irony.)

How Exciting!

I slept for 5 and a half straight hours without having to get up! That was such a nice thing. :) What a treat!

Russ Checking In....

Here's a change. The father-to-be making a post on my wife's blog. I just wanted to share some new pictures of my beautiful baby ..... ? (not sure yet)

Baby seems to progressing nicely. It's amazing what changes in a few short months. I attended the first ultrasound and now here we are at week 27.

-Russ

Russ Finally Felt the Baby! Yippee!

Two nights ago, the baby was kicking for about an hour or more...and it was pretty hard at times, so I asked Russ to come see if he could feel the baby. He put his hand on my belly, and it took a few minutes but he did feel it! :-) He was so excited. I am glad he could finally experience the movements I have been feeling.

My Growing Tummy

So it itches like crazy----I have been putting baby oil on it and then a Cocoa/Shea Butter Lotion. Anyone else have any ideas! IT IS SO ITCHY!

Week 25

At the top is a shot of you look directly at the face of the baby. The bottom shot is a profile of the baby.

Sugar Crash!

This morning, I started my bi-weekly appt/ultrasound. The baby weighs in at 1 pound and 14 ounces! Almost at the 2 pound mark, and I officially started my 25th week today. 105 days to go!

I took the glucose test this am. The drink itself wasn't so bad---it is how you feel after you drink it. It is a lot of sugar! I could curl up in a ball and sleep with the crash I am feeling at this moment.

That's it---nothing else to report- baby is doing good and growing like a weed!

What Is Your Prediction (or Hope)?

It has been interesting to find out what people are hoping we are having. I know that we are all hoping for a healthy baby...but people do have preferences as to the gender.

Memere Pat- boy
Grandma Carolyn- either but would love to spoil a girl
Lindsay- boy
Luke- boy
Carolyn Haynes- boy
Melanie Bond- I think she said girl
Monique- I think she said girl too...

What do you think??? Leave me your thoughts... The Chinese Birth Chart says a girl...some say the way I am carrying it is a boy and some say due to my blood pressure---that it is a girl...

I am leaving it up to God!