Six months down....three to go!

Today I had my "24-week" doctors appointment (I'm actually more like 26 weeks.) Just wanted to report that everything looks great! Hope's little heart is beating strong. She weighs just over 2 lbs and from everything we could see on today's 3-D ultrasound.....she looks just perfect!

Alexis has expressed her desires recently to be there for the delivery when Hope is born. I had her come to my appointments today to see how she would react to seeing things like my giant stomach and even just being in a hospital. She was awesome and it was great to have her with me.....especially when I started to get a little woozie during the ultrasound. She played with my hair and gently rubbed my forehead and cheeks. It was very sweet. My Midwife suggested she watch a few videos of women giving birth to see if she still wanted to be there in person when I give birth. We'll see how that goes!

HOPE

Yesterday we met with the "high risk doctor" at our hospital for an ultrasound that every woman (35 and older) has to have, apparently. After seeing her cute little profile and measuring all of her bones and organs and stuff....... the Dr. said, "You'll notice here on the babies brain there is a little mark, it's called a (I can't remember the name....it was long) and it is a marker for a chromosomal disorder. The particular disorder affects motor skills and is found in 1 in every 400 babies born...." He continued talking and my brain continued spinning and worrying and then......my tender mercy came..........the doctor moved the ultra sound wand and stopped on her hand (she appeared to be waving to us!) He froze the screen and said, "Well.......I can tell you this, a baby that actually has (this particular) disorder could never do that with their hand. Their hands are always in a fist and they don't open! That should put you at ease!"

So......thank you baby HOPE for waving to us yesterday and putting my mind at ease! You appear to be growing beautifully and your little profile melted my heart and made me cry! I can't wait to see you and hold you and kiss you!!! Every day as Gabby (that's one of your big sisters') leaves for school she gives my tummy a little kiss and says......."OH MOM.....I JUST CANT WAIT TO HAVE HER HERE! Goodbye HOPE......I love you!" I feel the same way.....but......you stay in my little oven for as long as you possibly can! By June 16th....it should be nice and warm here in Redmond and the sun will be just days away from shining for an entire MONTH!!!!

We love you already!