A dip in the road

Well, it seems that just when we think things are going according to schedule, Miss Rebekah decides to shake things up a little! :) During today's NST (non-stress test), Rebekah's heart rate was showing several dips during times when her heart rate was accelerating. Dr. Lattimore was concerened enough to consult with Dr. Greig about it, and the opinion is that even though there is some concern about the dips in her heart rate, at this point, the risks of her coming this early are still too great to induce labor right now. So for the time being, we wait on a week-by-week, visit-by-visit basis to see what happnes. The best case scenario is that we make it three more weeks until our scheduled induction date, but if that doesn't happen, we would like to get as close as we possibly can. I will be asking Dr. Greig several questions during our appointment on Monday including whether it might be time for Dr. Lucas (cardiologist) to have a look at the NST results for his opinion.

In other news, things are beginning to progress to delivery! When Dr. Lattimore checked, he was surprised to find that my cervix was "very, very soft!" I have also continued to have contractions off and on for several weeks (not enough to concern the doctors, but obviously, they are doing something!). So, Rebekah continues to have her own schedule and agenda no matter how much we plan! :) We will have to see if she actually makes it another three weeks or decides to come earlier on her own.

I have been sorting, washing, folding and ironing little girl clothes and having fun doing it! Zachary commented yesterday that there was too much pink in our living room! :) The boys are getting very excited about meeting their sister, and I can't say as I blame them!

Please pray for all of the doctors involved in making decisions about Rebekah's delivery and care. Pray that Rebekah will arrive in the Lord's timing and that her lungs will be fully developed when she does arrive.

Nancy

Another week closer

Monday - yet another Dr. appointment. Not much to report so far this week. Nancy and Rebekah are both are doing well. Thankfully the Lord allowed whatever heart fluctuations from last week to go away. So we are marching onward towards July 9th. Nancy is busy finishing Rebekah's room and thinking of packing for Charleston. We are continuing to lean on the Lord and to trust him for all our needs as we prepare for one of the biggest challenges we have faced together since we got married.

D

Today's Chaos

Nancy is at her regular OB visit and the doctor has detected a dip in Bekah's heart rate. They are doing an NST. The doctor doesn't like the fact that Rebekah is not showing the heart rate accelerations that they want to see. Nancy is still there and we are waiting to see what the doctor will want to do. We will keep you updated as the day progresses.

D

They are sending Nancy home. Rebekah started being more reactive and with further testing they feel that all is normal and Rebekah is doing fine. They will continue to moniter her each Thursday and we will see what happens at the next appointment on Monday.

D

Doctor's Update

For all of you who were waiting, here comes the update from this morning's doctor's visit! Dr. Lucas, Rebekah's cardiologist, spent quite a bit of time studying her heart, and he feels that everything is the same as it was when we saw him a little over a month ago. At this point, unless there are other heart issues or complications that arise, we know as much about Rebekah's heart defect as we can know before she is born.

Rebekah measured well today - she is in the 43rd percentile! That is great news as far as her growth goes! My fluid dropped almost in half (from 25 to 13), but it is still within the normal range, so there is no concern there. It is fairly common for the fluid to decrease somewhat due to the baby taking up more space. :) I will be going to see Dr. Greig on Mondays for a BPP (BioPhysical Profile) to check Rebekah's heart, movement, and how well she practices breathing. In three weeks, we will re-check her measurements and hopefully she will continue to show good growth.

One prayer request from today is for Rebekah to turn around. Right now, she is bottom down, which will mean a c-section if she does not turn. We are praying that she will turn in the next week or so before she gets too big to turn.

Miss Bekah's diaper bag!

Thank you all for your prayers. We are getting excited about meeting Rebekah Grace! :)

Nancy

Getting Ready!

Hello all! I promise that I will post shower pictures as soon as I have them! Being that our shower was a complete surprise, I didn't have my camera with me (for obvious reasons!), so I have to rely on getting some pictures from friends who were there. They will be posted as soon as I can get them on here! :)

We are working hard on organizing/cleaning out/getting Rebekah Grace's room ready. We received some beautiful gifts at the shower, and I am so excited about getting things all ready and then sharing pictures with you all. A very good friend (who is an incredible artist!) made an absolutely stunning print with the words from one of my favorite songs "You formed me in my mother's womb/according to Your plan/You made each little finger/and You made each tiny hand." The words are so appropriate for Rebekah Grace especially, and I am so grateful for Sarah's work to put it in print. Also, Aunt Aimee made a beautiful keepsake shadowbox that I can't wait to display! Rebekah Grace was named for Drew's grandmother, Grace Ellis, who went home to be with the Lord several years ago. Aimee used one of Grandma's very delicate hankies to form a butterfly in the shadowbox, and I know it is something that we will cherish for Rebekah.  Aunt Aimee also made a beautiful hairbow/ribbon hanger that is just incredible! She is so talented! :) Pictures will be coming, I promise!

We also received some gift cards which I used to order a small three-drawer organizer and some baskets to put some of Rebekah's clothes and other things in. Hopefully they will lend a bit of organization to what is right now a very cluttered room! :)

Our shower was so much fun, and I am so thankful for the friends we have who put it all together and those who came. We received so many sweet, girly things! From curtains, to a lamp, blankets, bedding, a boppy cover in girl colors (!!) burp cloths, bibs, pacifiers, toys and lots and lots of clothes, we truly felt "showered" with things for Rebekah!

Rebekah and I have two doctor's visits this week. Tuesday morning we will have another ultrasound and our final meeting with the cardiologist before going to Charleston (providing everything looks the same). We are praying that Rebekah's growth will continue to be stable. Then on Thursday we have a routine OB visit with Mommy's doctor. We will update with any new information after our visits!

Thanks to all of you who keep up with the blog and are praying for us. It means so much to know that there are people literally all over the world who are praying for Rebekah Grace!