President's Day Weekend and today's Dr. Appt

today's doctor's appointment... I went in this morning at 9:30, waited a little while on the Doctor, and she came in and we looked at the baby's heartbeat via ultrasound. She kind of screamed, "OH!". I promptly said, "What is it, Dr. Stradtman?" I thought she'd seen something on the monitor... She said, "I'm just so excited and [so far] everything looks great!" That's all I need to hear to turn my frown upside down :) Since I'm 9 weeks today (there are about 3 due dates floating around and she has it in my files as September 22nd) and we can't hear the heartbeat with her sonogram until week 12, I'll go back to see her in 2 weeks. This is great by me...anytime I can see the little kidney bean (the size he is at 9 weeks), it's fine with me!!

Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. Travis and I can feel them more than you'll ever realize!
Leigh

First Official Doctor's Appointment

Thanks for all of your prayers! The doctor's appointment with Dr. Stradtman went very well. Since this is the first time I'd seen her since our news, she was absolutely overjoyed for us!
I did have an ultrasound – performed by a different ultrasound tech than Grayton had as she has since retired – and was able to see the heartbeat (125 beats per minute). Per the measurements of the baby, I am 6 weeks and 4 days along (told y'all it was early J J ) and my due date is around September 27th.
My next appointment with Dr. Stradtman is on February 17th. In addition, I will be also seen by a Maternal Fetal Medicine physician, Dr. Gonazlez, at Brookwood when I am 22 weeks along. One of the CDH moms, who is also expecting, suggested I see this type of specialist and (prayer answered!) Brookwood recently hired him from UAB. He will be performing an extensive and thorough view of the baby via ultrasound and, furthermore, will look for a Diaphragmatic Hernia among other things. For those of you "nerds" (you know who you are J) wanting more information on a Maternal Fetal Medicine, here's the link http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/newjersey/fetal-medicine.htm. Furthermore, for any of you who are curious about CDH (the defect Grayton was born with) the website is www.cdhsupport.org On the home page, look at the photos at the top and Grayton's picture is on the top row and 3rd from the right. She has her "crown" atop her head.
Praise be to HIM!!!
Love from Travis and me!
By the way, for those who haven't heard, God and Grayton have blessed and hand-picked a baby for us! Please keep us in your prayers and I apologize you had to find out in an email! As you can all imagine, WE ARE THRILLED!

Love,
Travis and Leigh

We are positive...

My OB's nurse just called and said Dr. Stradtman was happy w/my test results last week and the hcg tests do not have to be repeated…Praise Him! Monday, I have a doctor's appt, like "normal" pg people, complete with an ultrasound to check on everything. Hopefully, I'll have a more approximate due date rather than the one Google gave me J
Coincidentally, there was a blog started on CHERUBS site today regarding the chance on a 2nd baby having CDH. Currently, there are 2 families on the site who have had multiple CDH babies. However, from what I understand, if the baby didn't have any other genetic problems (and, from what we know with the tests done at Children's Hospital, Grayton didn't ), then the chance of a 2nd child drops to 2 in 100 babies.
For some reason, I'm at peace either way. While I don’t feel this baby will encounter the same defect, if he/she does…we are better equip to handle it. Regardless, it's out of our hands anyway.
Prayer Warrior Unite!!

Love,
Leigh and Travis