Answered Prayers

Yesterday, Travis and I went to see Dr. Gonzalez and....drum roll, please......Gray has gone from the 39th percentile to averaging (based on all of his measurements) in the 74th percentile!!!! He's almost doubled in size in just two weeks! The Dr. said, "I don't know what you've been doing but keep it up!" Of course, Travis credited it to the steaks and red meat I've recently been eating (normally, I eat 2 filets a year). I think it's answered prayers.

Currently, he's weighing approximately 4 lbs. 2 oz. Gray's legs and head are in the high 60th and 50th percentile, respectively, and his stomach is in the 92nd percentile! Praise God for answered prayers. My amniotic fluid is fine and, during the ultrasound, Gray stuck his tongue out and yawned! Dr. Gonzalez suggested Gray be measured again in 2-3 weeks to ensure he's progressing. I go back to the OB next week so I'll probably schedule it then.

As of today, I'm 31 weeks along and am just getting to the very uncomfortable stage - a little earlier than last time, I think. It could have something to do with unpacking of boxes but prenatal yoga, as well as Chiropractor, seems to be helping some.

Based on his measurements, I don't see Dr. S moving up the due date from September 22nd. However, if he's already weighing over 4 lbs. and, on average, babies gain 1/2 oz per week and I have 9 weeks to go - we may have another "Grayton situation" where the dr. schedules my C-section early. Being I'm not the medical physician (only wishful thinking because I can't wait to see the 'lil fella), I'm probably getting ahead of myself. However, I'll keep y'all posted.

Thanks so much for all of your thought, well wishes and prayers!

Leigh

Gray Creekbaum - Ultrasound

Here is Gray's 4D Ultrasound from 7/14/09.

Dr's Appointment Update

Travis and I just got back from the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist at Brookwood, Dr. Gonzalez, and I' m happy to report Gray is looking great! While his stomach is still on the small size, there are no other signs to indicate something's wrong. He just may be a smaller baby than Grayton was. He's measuring in the 40th percentile and is 2 lbs. 10 oz. and has hair!! The Dr. commented he had a good bit of hair for a 7 month (in utero) baby. Furthermore, he was taking big "gulps" (as the Dr. likes to call 'em) and his bladder filled well. We are so blessed! Praise God!

By the way, for those of you who don't know - The Creekbaums have moved! About 2 weeks ago, we moved into our new house and are thrilled. Unpacking, on the other hand, I haven't been so eager to engage in. However, a great friend of mine, Stephanie, came and helped me this weekend got me back on track. My mom and dad have also been a huge help, too!

The dogs - Ace, Allie and the newest addition, Karleigh - are all adjusting well. Within the first couple of days, Ace broke through the gate and went swimming in the lake behind our house. Can't blame him, as it's been hot as blue blazes!!

Come see us!!

Love y'all!
Leigh

Using the Birthday Card

Thursday, the 18th, was my birthday as well as my checkup appointment with the OB. My mom went with me and because she hasn't "seen" the baby yet, I went to the ultrasound area, spoke with my friend at the reception area, told her it was my birthday, and asked if my mom could get a peak at the baby (they weren't busy). Thankfully and thoughtfully, she and the ultrasound technician agreed. Gray was just moving around and even posed for us with his feet crossed. It was adorable.

However, when I mentioned to her Dr. Gonzalez, the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor, said his stomach is small, she agreed with him. I tried to pinpoint as to what problems could occur from this (should it stay on the smaller side) and she just told me to talk to the doctor. Although my amniotic fluid still seemed fine, I'm worried about his stomach. I should've asked her to measure him completely, but I hated to task her since I "snuck" in to get an ultrasound. Thankfully (it was as if God put him in my path), I saw Dr. Gonzalez coming off the elevator at Brookwood and I told him what had happened and asked his opinion on what it could be. He said, "Leigh, every baby isn't suppose to weight 10 lbs. 7 out of 10 times it just means the baby's on the small side of the scale. One of my sons was born 1 oz. shy of 6 pounds and he's a normal, healthy boy. " While it relaxed my anxiety a little, it's the other 30% (or 3 out of 10) I didn't ask him about that concerns me. I'm trying not to be such a worrier, but after having a 1 in 2400 chance of having a baby with CDH it's just so hard not to be overly concerned. At the same time, I know it's in God's hands.

Please continue to keep Gray in your prayers. Today is one year since Grayton went to Heaven and I just miss her so much. At the same time, I'm worried about Gray. I think it's just "normal" to be concerned after losing a baby.

Missing you, Grayton, on your Angelversary.

Leigh

Dr. Appointment

The Echo cardiogram went fine. Gray's heart is well, all organs are in place, and his diaphragm is in tact. PRAISE GOD!!! His stomach is a little smaller than Dr. Gonzalez felt it should be, so I have an appointment scheduled in 6 weeks (I'll be 28 weeks by then). The Dr. will check my amniotic fluid again. While the level is fine right now, if - in 6 weeks - I have an excess, something could be wrong with the connection from his mouth to his stomach meaning Gray is not eating and swallowing like he should or could be. However, if there is a problem, the nurse assured me it's definitely something fixable and nothing like what we've gone through before. I was so grateful to hear her say those words. When I talked to Travis about it, he said Gray just has the problem Travis once had - a small stomach that fills up easily. HA! Retha went with me to the appointment and quickly pointed out (and made my day by telling the doctor) he takes after me by having a small stomach... :) My tummy feels anything but small right now, but I appreciate her saying it!

Please pray his stomach will continue to grow, my fluids will stay normal and that there is no problems with his "gulps" as the Dr. like to call them.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and notes of care and concern.

Leigh

Fetal Maternal MedicineDoctor Appt.

Travis and I just got back from the lengthy and thorough doctor's appointment. We got to see everything imaginable about Gray! He held up his hand to his face - sucking on his arms and thumb - almost the whole time!! Dr. Gonzalez said he saw no signs of a diaphragmatic hernia or anything else substantial. However, while he wasn't alarmed by this, he was disappointed he didn't see his stomach fill up. While his bladder was full, Gray never emptied it while we were there.

Because he wants to see us again, we are scheduled to go back to see Dr. Gonzalez next Thursday at 1pm. Please pray Gray (while we are there) will decide to fill his tummy up and empty it before our eyes!!! Dr. G said we could've just caught him at a time he was playing rather than eating. (Amy and Melanie, you'll love this -) I asked if I should eat breakfast or something before I came to the appointment. I wondered if that would matter because, if y'all can believe this, I had not done so this morning. Unfortunately, he said it wouldn't make a difference.

While we are at the appointment next week, he'll also do a more complete Echo cardiogram on Gray because of Grayton's CDH. Although his heart looked fine, Dr. G wanted to see it again at 22 weeks. I didn't really understand why, but after having an undiagnosed defect, I'll do anything to rule out complications.

Gray is in the 62% weight (weight about 15 oz.) and is measuring on target. He was really moving around for the tech and kept flipping side to side.

While I'm a little disheartened we didn't get a complete"clean bill of health", we all know it could be so much worse. The next 7 days are going to go by very slowly.....

Leigh

Grayton's celebration was wonderful!!! Travis and I were overwhelmed (in such a great way!) at the generosity of our friends and family. We donated to the NICU, at Children's Hospital of Birmingham in Grayton's memory,at least 75 pairs of booties, 26 tubes of Bodreaux's, 34 hats and 69 receiving blankets. Plus, there was over $500 worth of gift cards donated! Our hope is CDH babies will be "dressed and outfitted" for the next decade!!



Everyone was so, so sweet to send things for the babies, as well as spend their Saturday making Chandeliers for the isolets! A special thank you to Brandy, Brooke, Sonia and Retha for hosting the special, special day! It was truly amazing....and....I didn't cry all day!! Definitely a feat in itself!



The NICU has a new floor since we were there (thank goodness..for so many reasons)!! It was beautiful! The colors were so soothing, bed spaces were further apart, and the entire area was much more quiet (maybe because we weren't there :) ) . As Travis noted, it didn't sound like a casino with all of the machine's beepers going off!

It was WONDERFUL to see Grayton's nurses, Angela and Jenny. I'm blessed to see Angela periodically but we haven't seen Jenny since Grayton's Angel day. They both looked great and Jenny was glad to hear about Gray being on the way. Travis pointed out that they'd have to come see Gray when he was born because we are not going to coming to Children's (oh God, please don't led us there again!).

I'll post other pictures later.

Love y'all!
Leigh