The Nursery

We are changing my old office into Emelia's room.  It's the bigger of the two other bedrooms.  She'll have a double closet and a nice window.  She'll also be right near us (like there's a choice in a townhome!) and next to the main bathroom. 

We've taken a lot of care to pick out the items for her room - researching the products and selecting items that will be the most versatile as she grows.  We are reusing my dresser and chest that was bought for me 27+ years ago.  It's in great shape, so why spend $1000 on more furniture?  Her crib is one that converts from a crib to a toddler bed to a full bed with headboard and foot board. 

Andrew and I selected, after a ton of angsting on my behalf, a beautiful bedding set with a little giraffe on it. 

I went out onto the internet and purchased the bedding set from a supplier who had many in stock.  After 9 days (on September 28th), I received an email telling me that the order couldn't be fulfilled because the bedding was out of stock.  I was crushed, but I put on my big girl panties and found a second site from which to order.  When I checked the status of the order on Wednesday evening, it said that the order had been cancelled!  I had not received any notice so needless to say (pregnant/hormonal/crazy), I was peeved!  I went to a third site (which I hadn't considered from the beginning because they didn't have an extra blanket for the set that I wanted), and purchased it.  I was also able to contact the second company.  They told me it wasn't the whole order (just the extra blanket) that was cancelled even though the site said, "Your order has been cancelled."  Really, what else was I to think?  They are cancelling the order and refunding the credit card.  I'm happy to report that the third place shipped the bedding today via UPS - I even have a tracking number!  Hooray! 

This weekend, my goal for us (I use us lightly since it will be mostly Andrew) is to get the crack in the corner caulked and insulate the attic access that is in her closet.  Then, I would like to get the trim and ceiling painted.  We (used lightly) also need to move some furniture in both Emelia's room and in the living room.  We got a storage ottoman to replace the coffee table so we can put Piglet on the coffee table and hopefully out of baby-reach.  It's a tall order, but I think we (again, used lightly) can do it! 

Excellent Update!

I saw the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist yesterday and received the best news we've heard in almost two months! 

My Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) was a 5 when I went into the hospital back in August.  The doctor told me that they prefer it to be between 10 and 20, however I've read that between 8 and 18 is normal - it just depends on who you ask.  When I went in yesterday, my AFI was a whopping 15.4!  Woohoo!  We're thrilled and really couldn't be happier.  This means that I have resealed from the leak and should no longer be leaking amniotic fluid. 

We also learned that Emelia weighs 1 pound 12 ounces.  She is in the 66th percentile for size although she is measuring about 5 days behind.  We kind of expected that though since she has been about 5 days behind since the beginning.  At least she's consistent!  We're thrilled about the weight though because even if she was born prematurely, the 1 pound 12 ounces is great! 

Less notably but pretty important nonetheless, the ultrasonographer reaffirmed that she is, in fact, a girl.  It's good to hear it again!  All those pink things on the registry would be hard to explain if she wasn't a girl! 

It's a girl!

I went on September 1st for a follow up appointment with the maternal fetal medicine doctors from Sinai.  We had a very long scan because our little one just wanted to chill out.  Apparently, she prefers to sleep until noon like her mom!  After some chocolate and some ice water, we learned that she's most definitely a girl!  We got to see the rest of her "parts" since the anatomy scans were still missing a few things.  We got a picture of her profile (which we'll scan when mom and dad get home from vacation).  We couldn't be more excited! 

Her name will be Emelia Kate.  Amelia was my great grandmother's middle name.  We can't have any "A" names (no more generations of A. Nolls), so we are spelling it with an E.  Her middle name is the middle name of a dear friend who was lost too early.  We think it's the perfect name for her! 

Snags in happiness

It has been a very crazy last few weeks.  I'm going to start from the beginning. 

Back at my July 12th OB appointment, I asked the doctor if I could be leaking amniotic fluid because I had just felt wet.  The doctor assured me that I was fine, but he never actually checked. 

Coming home from my grad class on August 3rd, I just felt an increase in the amount of fluid I had been feeling.  After doing a little reading on the internet and in books, we did an at home test to see if it was likely to be amniotic fluid.  The at home test came back positive.

On August 4th, first thing, the doctor's office instructed me to go to Labor and Delivery.  After an ultrasound, they found that my amniotic fluid index (AFI) was extremely low, a 5.  Average is 8-18.  I was admitted into the hospital on bed rest, a lot of fluids, and a heavy dose of antibiotics.  This was, without a doubt the most scary moment and subsequent days of my life.  It was also the saddest as this condition poses a significant health risk to our baby.  Luckily, our baby still had a strong heart beat consistent with what it had been.

On August 5th, I remained in the hospital, now on complete bed rest (as in can not get up) and in trendelenburg's position (where you are on a flat incline with your feet higher than your head).  After a long, lonely, scary night with a nurse who was more pessimistic than helpful, my AFI had risen to 8.  This day was filled with tests.  They performed a ferning test (where they take a sample and observe it on a slide under a microscope).  This came back negative for amniotic fluid.  They checked dilation and I was not dilated at all.  They also did an amnio screen (kind of like a panty liner that checks for amniotic fluid).  I was positive on this.  Although the leak was still there, they were pretty sure it was healing. 

The AFI was checked again on the morning of August 6th, and it had risen to 9.7.  This was going better than we had expected!  They removed the IV and prepared me to go home.  I went home around 7p.m. that evening. 

At home, I was put on flat bed rest where I could be at no more than a 2 pillow incline - even to eat.  I was allowed to walk down the stairs to lay on the sofa once per day.  I was to wear special support socks to prevent blood clots and to drink 80 ounces of water per day.

Our families and friends came together to take care of us, bringing us meals and things to do.  We are very lucky to have so many wonderful people surrounding us. 

Part of my monitoring is to see the maternal fetal medicine doctor at Sinai.  I went on August 13th, but felt like I left with more questions than I went in with.  They refused to determine an AFI, saying it was too early (I was 1 day shy of 19 weeks).  This just perplexed me because Carroll hadn't hesitated.  They did perform another ferning test and it remained negative.

Because we left with so many questions, I scheduled an appointment with my regular OB for Tuesday, August 17th.  She checked the heartbeat and it was a strong 150.  My fundal height (from pelvic bone to top of uterus) was 19 cm and change - right where it should be.  She put me on modified bed rest.  Basically everything remains the same except I'm allowed to move around the house some and sit up.  I also don't have to wear the tight socks anymore.  Sitting up to eat and taking off those awful socks were the best parts!  I still can not go back to work, drive, or go anywhere other than doctor appointments.  The doctor believes that the leak is healing/mostly healed and that with some rest, it might just close all the way.

We have our next Sinai scan on September 1st.  Hopefully everything stays on track. 

We're 20 weeks and 1 day today.  That seemed so far away just 3 weeks ago.  We're feeling more movement from our little one - it feels more purposeful - like an arm or leg, head or butt. 

Please continue to keep our little family in your prayers.  We've been fortunate and blessed, and we hope to keep our little one cooking for another 20 weeks!   

Jillian and Andrew's Wedding

On July 17th, one of our very best friends married the love of her life.  We were lucky enough to be there to share the day with them. 

I met Jillian during our freshman year at Hood where we lived in the same hallway.  Along with her roommate Joanna, the three of us were inseperable.  We lived close to each other for all 4 years, adding (my) Andrew more permanently into the mix during our Junior year. 

Jillian met (her) Andrew online and he's just perfect for her!  They were married at Gramercy Mansion.  It was a beautiful day - complete with a beautiful setting and a beautiful bride!  Here are some pictures from their special day:

Jillian pushing Andrew on the swing

Jillian's bridesmaids

Entire bridal party (that's me on the left!)

First dance

Jillian's grandparents - who had been married the longest

Dancing (that's us in the front!)

We're having a baby!!

We are very excited to announce that we are going to be parents!  Baby Noll is due January 8, 2011. 

I took lots and lots of tests just to make sure it was for real!  We found out on May 6, 2010.

This is from the first ultrasound at 7 weeks 4 days.  The baby's heartbeat was 144 beats per minute.  He or she measured at 8.7mm. 

Here's the ultrasound picture from today at 10 weeks 6 days.  The baby's heartbeat was 175 beats per minute and he or she was moving all around!  This picture shows the face with an arm raised waving "hi!"

It's finally time!

"Time for what?" you may ask?  Time for Andrew to start his job! 

This past week, Andrew went through three days of orientation.  He met lots of new people and got more information that one might be able to understand.  But, he started, nonetheless!

Tuesday, March 9th will be Andrew's official first day as a PA.  Neither of us can believe this day has finally come!  It seems like it has been so long.  It's been a lot of work for both of us, but the time has finally come!