Update!!

The past ten weeks have been a roller coaster of feelings since the day we were informed at our 20 week ultrasound that our "perfect" baby boy was not quite as perfect as we had hoped. The ultrasound tech informed us that our little boy had cysts on the choroid plexus in his brain, which can be a marker for a terminal genetic defect (trisomy 18). We were assured that everything would be ok; however, news like this is never easy to accept. The following week we had a follow-up ultrasound with the geneticist in Little Rock and were informed that not only were there choroid plexus cysts, but there was another marker for trisomy 18, a calcium deposit on his heart. Since we opted not to do the amniocentesis, the doctor recommended a follow- up ultrasound in 8-10 weeks. The news was devastating, but we were cautiously optimistic while we waited for the next ultrasound which would be done at thirty weeks...

After a long wait we had the follow-up ultrasound today. Owen has been a very active boy for a while now which has helped us make it through the wait with much optimism. The ultrasound was at 1:30 and our whole clan was allowed into the ultrasound room. The clan being my mom and dad, Josh's mom and sister and of course Josh and I. As the ultrasound progressed every update was better than the last. First off the amniotic fluid level was right on (high amniotic fluid levels are common with trisomy 18 babies). His choroid plexus cysts had resolved, as well as the calcium deposit on his heart. They were just gone, they said there was a good chance they would resolve, but to see it live in person was nothing short of a miracle for us!!! And finally all of the measurements were done and he came in at 3 lbs. 1oz. and measured within one day of his due date, which we were informed never happens. The measurement was the most important thing to us. The geneticist in Little Rock had told us that babies with trisomy 18 usually have delayed growth later in the pregnancy. So when we found out that his growth was not delayed, we felt as if a weight had been lifted off our chest. We left the ultrasound feeling as giddy as we did on the day we found out we were pregnant!!! Hopefully now we can get some good rest over the next several weeks before he arrives and once again deprives us of sleep!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers throughout all of this! We know today that the good report was an answered prayer. We appreciate your continued prayers for the health of Owen throughout the remainder of the pregnancy!!! We love and appreciate you all!

We also made a lot of progress on Owen's room this weekend. My mom and dad were in town for the ultrasound, and Josh's family came over on Sunday, so we all worked together and made a lot of progress. We picked up several things for his room and even created some artwork of our own to add a little extra love! We'll post pictures when the nursery is complete!