24 Weeks

Merry Christmas!

It has been a busy week with the Holidays upon us. Joe's parents came down from New Jersey to be with Joe and I through the Holidays. It has been so nice having them here. We have done a lot of cooking, shopping and house work! The garage had been organized, a book shelf was assembled, pictures, curtains, and mirrors hung. Joe and his dad put up a chair rail for the baby's room and primed the dinning room.  Now I can't wait to start the daunting paint job! They have been so helpful being here and Joe and I really appreciate it! The house is coming together one nail and paint brush at a time!

Today we had another ultrasound at the Birth Center. It is a follow up to the Ultrasound from 3 weeks ago. The Tech found urine in Michael's kidneys so she wanted to see if this was a continuing problem. We scheduled the ultrasound so that Joe's parents were able to come and watch. I really think they enjoyed watching Michael kick and move around. They also enjoyed their mini tour through the Birth Center.

The ultrasound, as much fun as it is to watch him on the screen, did show high levels of urine in his kidneys again.  Yes he was upside-down again so gravity could be working against him but they decided that this matter needed a closer look. I was told not to worry but how can I not? They are sending me to a high risk center for another ultrasound. Apparently, this machine is the best out there (one of the only ones in the state of GA). Lucky for us it's not too far of a drive for us. Originally Joe was not able to go with me so I had asked my mom to come down for it. Joes parents were supposed to head back up to NJ Wednesday. I am a little nervous about the ultrasound so I wanted someone to come with me. As it turns out we may have quite the entourage headed to Sav on Thursday. As it turns out, Joe was able to get a few hours off on Thursday. Marian and Russ turned around on 95 to head south once again back to us and my mom decided to still make the trip down here. As it turns out, after calling the center, their policy is that they only allow 1 person to come back into the room with me. I wish we could have everyone in there to see it of course.

Check back tomorrow as I will hopefully have an update on what we saw and learned in this next ultrasound.

I have attached some photos of Baby Jacob Hamilton below. I think he is excited to meet Michael... Bridget and I are hoping that they have a great friendship similar to ours!

Jacob loving on Michael!

Jacob is just so darn cute!

Bridget, Jacob and I :)

As for what is going on this week... here is the update:

Michael is growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. Michael’s brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Oh and one more thing... at the ultrasound on Tuesday, Michael is weighing at 1lb 8oz... that puts him in the 57%. Nice a normal :)