Andrew Thomas Ashley

I am still here!

Andrew was born September 30, 2013 at 10:28 pm. He was 21 1/2 inches and weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces.

He has had a rough couple of months, but we pray that things are looking up.

While we were in the hospital he was diagnosed with Jaundice. Most babies are placed under the light or sun and it goes away. Andrew's is the opposite. Sun nor the light will help.  We were sent to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham to a GI doctor. They have done blood work, two liver biopsies and everything to see what might be causing his to be high. As of now all test have come back negative. They have tested for Biliary Atresia, Neeman Pick C, Histiocytosis, and Alagille Syndrome. One doctor at Children's of Texas thinks it is Alagille, but our doctor is not sold on it. At one time she was, but she has since changed her mind. Every time we go back to see her, we do blood work for a different diagnosis. Andrew has been stuck so many times it is just heart breaking. She did say that 40 percent of liver diseases are not diagnosed. Right now we are seeing if Andrew could have a fructose intolerance. It is associated with liver disease. She changed his formula to Pregestimil, but he is not liking it to well.

At our two month check up (Monday before Thanksgiving), our pediatrician heard a heart murmur. We were told by one GI doctor that he had one, but it would go away. Like most do. Well, our pediatrician set us up with a cardiologist at UAB for the next day. During the heart exam a murmur was noted and we were told it needed to be repaired sooner rather than later. It was located in the extra vein that we are all born with. Most close up on their own. Andrew's just didn't close up due to the size of it. So that doctor talked with our GI doctor and decided to admit us then for nutritional reasons. Along with surgery to repair the vein. It is also called PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). Chris had the same surgery at the same place and age. So we knew what to expect. So Chris, Andrew and I  spent the week of Thanksgiving at Children's of Alabama. We even watched the Iron Bowl from there. Our parents came several times and stayed with Andrew and I while Chris would come home and do a few things.

On Monday Andrew had his surgery and did great. He was moved to the CVICU for the night to make sure he did good. The nurses there are AMAZING! The night nurse did everything for Andrew (feeding, bath, diapers), so Chris and I could rest. When he came out of surgery he was still on the vent, but by the next morning he was off and was able to leave the unit! So Tuesday we moved back to our old floor. Mom came up and stayed while Chris went home for a couple of hours. As soon as Chris got back around 3:00 p.m., they told us we were going home! So after spending a week there we were glad to be going home.

More about how Andrew is doing in the next post.

We are still a baking!

Who would have thought we are 39 weeks and nothing has changed? Baby Ashley is just happy to be where he is and doesn't seem to want to come and join us right yet. I do try and talk him into coming out. On my birthday I told him that if he came we would give him ice cream and cake! Chris tells him that he can come on out, daddy is home.

Chris and I had our 39 week appointment yesterday. Nothing has changed, so we go back next Thursday (unless he comes before then). She will check fluid level, his weight and lungs. We may even discuss inducing. She first said she was not a fan of if, but I guess at this time, it maybe our only option.

Some of the things I have tried to get labor started are: walking, eating pineapple, spicy food and a warm bath.

People have asked if I am nervous. I do get nervous every once in awhile, but for the most part I am ready to get things going. I have had no big contractions. The ones I think I have had just feel like small menstrual cramps and they last for about 30 minutes give or take.

My belly seems to be more moved to the left than anything. I am also crooked. My stomach is higher on the right side than the left. Our doctor is even amazed at how oddly shaped I am. My friend Kim said that looking at me from the breast up, you would never know I was pregnant. So I am carrying, what weight I have gained all in my belly. Which is good and I hope it is not hard to loose, but I just have to do what is best for baby and myself. I am really not worried about the weight.

On a different note. Not one that I ever imagined I would have to put down. My job will be ending on October 4th. Talk about having to make quick decisions. At a time when we should be calm and enjoying this time in our lives, we have to make a decision that is very important to our family. I wont go into detail, but things are looking good for one job offer. Chris and I have some decisions that need to be made and they are not that easy. We have prayed for the Lord to place us where He wants us. Stepping out on faith is hard, but something we must do. I try not to get depressed and remember that I am right where God wants me to be. He knows what the future holds for us and we need not to worry. But again, we are human and it will happen.

So I ask that you pray for us and our new little family during this time.

38 Week Appointment

No news is good news right? Well at least that is what some people say.

We had our 38 week appointment today and nothing, I repeat nothing has changed down there. Y'all we are as ready as we can be for Baby Boy Ashley to come. I was so praying that at least I had dilated some. It just seems exciting to say, "Oh I am at a two". But nope, he is still hanging out....getting bigger and stronger. So the waiting continues!

My doctor did say that she would allow me to go over my due date, but not sure how much over. We go back next Thursday and maybe we will have made some progress. She is not fond of inducing either, unless she has to. So we will ride this out for two more weeks and see what happens.

Count Down Has Started

We are on baby watch! Any day now.... :)

We are currently 37 weeks and 4 days. It is hard to believe we are this far along. I am getting anxious for everything to get started, so we can meet this little guy and start a whole new journey. We have his room ready and bags packed. I still have a few blankets to wash this week, and that will be it.

The only complaint I have is not being able to get comfortable to sleep. I start out in the bed then end up on the couch. I am so ready to snuggle up with Chris! Another issue I have and most pregnant ladies have it is the swollen feet. They pretty much stay that way. My BP is fine, so the doctor is not worried.

We went two weeks ago for a check up and she wanted to check his position with ultrasound. At first she thought he was transverse, but after the ultrasound he is head down with his bottom on my right side and his feet to the left. The ultrasound tech asked if she could switch over to 4D. I was like heck yes. The better the picture the better I like it. So, she gave us one 4D picture of him. Of course he stuck his hands up to his face when she started the 4D. All our 4D pictures have his hands in front of his face. Just like his daddy....no pictures please!

As I type this he is moving around. I just got done with lunch, so he is happy. I haven't counted moves, but I have made sure that he moves around a lot. On weekends when I am busy, I try and lay down to feel his moves.

We have several family members with birthdays in September. My aunts birthday was last Friday and she kept asking all day if I felt different. Then yesterday would have been my grandfathers birthday and I know my family was praying for him to arrive then. We have three more birthdays this month, so we will see if he makes his appearance on anyone of them.

Bear is giving me the smell down in the mornings. Some things I have read say that animals can sense when labor is about to start and will act differently. This morning he just kept smelling.

Our church gave us a shower this pasted Sunday. We are just so blessed to have them in our lives. They were planning on doing a shower even if we didn't join the church. Baby Ashley got a lot of nice things!

Speaking of joining the church! We joined about two or three weeks ago. We have been visiting for several months now and just felt like this is where we should be. Chris joined by letter and I will have to be baptized at a later time. We had thought I could do it while pregnant, but after watching me try and get up off the couch, Chris thought it would be better to wait...and I agree.

Maybe the next time I blog we will have a little one to share with you.

Oh and a name!