I'm getting very lax on my updates, I apologize to our faithful followers! Its been busy around here lately, and I'll try and remember the highlights/lowlights of whats been happening.
We had a 3D ultrasound 2 weeks ago to get a better look at the baby's hands and feet. I was just so excited to see our little boys face. A lot of friends have these ultrasounds and they turn out wonderfully, so I had some expectations. Unfortunately, it went nothing like we had envisioned. The first thing the tech said when we got to the ultrasound room was that the doctor only ordered a 3D of his hands and feet (basically saying don't expect to see anything else). So that was an immediate letdown. She then took about a half hour taking pictures. All we were able to see were the 2D images on the screen while she was looking. I asked if we could just see his face, and she said no. Then I immediately rememered Elias' ENT doctor asked them to take a look at his jaw to see if its pushed back at all. (Often times with arthrogryposis, their jaws are pushed back which can effect their breathing. We wanted to know if this was a possibility so that they can then be prepared in the delivery room if he would need assistance breathing). I told her this, and she reluctantly took a look at his head/face. Again, all we saw on our screen was 2D photos. Nothing different than normal. She didn't look very long, I got the impression she didn't take what I said seriously. She probably just thought I was looking for an excuse to see his face. So then it was over, and she went to get the doctor to review her findings. The doctor came back and explained to us that she was not able to get one good 3D picture. WHAT!!!! We were SO frustrated, Kevin especially. He had so much school work that was due that afternoon but decided it was more important to see our baby. What a waste...THEN the doctor tells us that 3D ultrasounds really aren't that great for hands and feet, just for facial features. Um, okay then why the heck are we here?! The confusing part of all our appointments is that the doctor that we see after the ultrasounds isn't my OB, its usually just whoever's "on" that day. So I've got a bone to pick with my doctor, whom I love and adore, at my appointment next Friday. Its a good thing insurance covers the ultrasounds, because I would have absolutely refused to have paid for such a waste of time.
All I wanted was to see his face. I just felt like in the midst of all the problems he seems to have, seeing his face would've been so nice...
The 2D shots turned out good, but it wasn't anything different than we saw the week before. He's still holding his left hand in a fist and his right hand he's doing the love sign in sign language. Now they're going back and forth over whether the right foot is clubbed as well. The left one looks pretty bad. But we saw that the week before, so that didn't shock us.
While I can't disclose details, we're trying to figure out what we're doing post-seminary. We should know in a few weeks whether we're going to stay here or go back to PA. All I will say that if this is where we're supposed to be, I'm okay with that. And those of you who know me know thats a HUGE statement considering how I've always said the Lord will basically have to perform a miracle to get us to stay. I feel like He's softened my heart, which is half of the miracle, and now we're waiting for the other part to fall into place. And for a control freak like myself, that "other part" is completely out of our hands and lies in the hands of others. Please pray the Lord will clearly tell us where it is we're supposed to be.
Elias is practically running now. He's definitely making up for lost time! I don't know what I would have done if he would have walked earlier. He never stops moving. Hopefully by the time the baby comes he'll relax and just sit for more than 5 seconds.
He learned how to dip his food in ketchup in the past couple weeks, and he LOVES it. This video below is the first time he did it. He was such a dainty dipper that I had to get it on video. So glad he's not a messy kid and has no desire to smother the ketchup all over himself!
Yesterday we went back to Tufts for a cast change. They had to saw off his cast, and gosh darnit that was SO scary for Elias. He's had SO many casts with his feet before, but those I unwrapped myself before the appointment. Not this one! So that was traumatic. Then we saw his thumb, and we were so impressed! It looks so good! Unfortunately he has a little infection on the skin where the pin comes out, so he's now on an antibiotic to hopefully get rid of that. They cut a little window in the cast so that we can keep an eye on the infection. I'm a little more woozy than usual, presumably from the pregnancy, so Kevin has to help me out with checking on the infection. We can't wait for his cast to come off for good. Just 3 more weeks!
And if you haven't heard, our new little boy has a name. We're saving his middle name for his birth as its a family name and we want that person to be honored and surprised. His name will be...
Gavin
