Call my parents to tell them the good news. Mom was not home so I asked Dad what he was going to be doing in November. He laughed and said he knew this was coming. He said he told Mom the other day, that they would have another grandchild by the end of the year. I told him not to tell Mom when she got home and have her call me. Mom called and asked what I wanted ( Dad told her I needed some addresses or something) and I told her the good news. They both said that they were not going to tell anyone until Jess saw the doctor on April 12th. I wonder if they can hold out that long!
April 12, 2007
Finally, Mom and Dad can let the WORLD know - at least those few who do not know already. Called Dad (Mom was at work) at 3:30 as soon as we got out of the doctor's office - of course he was not home. I left a message and normally I would have let it go at that but I knew how much he was waiting for the call so I decided to call him on his cell phone.
I am glad I did. He sounded relieved when I told him everything was A-OK. I asked where he was and he said he was in a car showroom negotiating a deal with Scott for a new car Scott was interested in buying.
Of course, I then thought maybe he sounded relieved because I interrupted the discussions - NO WAY, not my father - hearing the good news about his next grandchild - nothing could be more important - and besides he loves that negotiating stuff.
I called again at 7:30 to talk to Mom and guess what, they were not home again. Mom called back at the ungodly hour of 10:15pm - did she really think we were going to answer. Anyway her message was that Dad made her call - right, as if dad could make her do anything!
Well me made it through the monsoon on Sunday at Christopher and Daniel's Christening (we were Christopher's Godparents) and the 6 and 1/2 hours trip home today. Jess held up pretty good and we both hope that the morning, afternoon or evening sickness is over with.
Here is the 1st side view of the 2 of us. Jess is 10 weeks in this picture. Hopefully future pictures will show her with a bigger tummy then me.
May 10, 2007
Jess had a doctor's appointment today and we thought she was going to have an ultra sound done and we were finally going to see pictures of our baby. However, the doctor said there was no need to do one at this visit.
Anyway, we heard the heart beat again - sounds very strong - and the doctor says everything is A-OK and Jess is now in her 13 and 1/2 weeks.
Her next appointment is in the beginning of June and the doctor says he will definitely do an ultra sound.
Since Jess and I do not want to know whether it is a girl or a boy - what will we do if their incrementing evidence on the ultra sound pictures.
Jess is feeling A LOT better. For the most part the sickness is over and her appetite is back to normal. She is not having any odd cravings, but does get the itch for ice cream now and then, and I am more than happy to indulge with her. That explains why I am getting a little bulge to match hers."
April 27, 2007
We came back to our house on Friday night from Chris and Whitney's house after watching a movie. Jess wasn't feeling well and thought she might get sick. I ran to open the door and but before I could turn the key, let's just say the plants got a little extra fertilizer. I hope this morning (all day) sickness ends pretty soon - I feel really badly for Jess.
June 8, 2007
Well we went to our scheduled 2:30 appointment today for Jess's checkup and 1st ultrasound. Can't wait to see the pictures.
We got there on time and then proceeded to sit for 45 minutes in the waiting room - must be practice time for the labor and delivery.
Anyway, we finally started the ultrasound and they were checking everything: heart, head, legs, arms, feet, toes, hands, fingers and other things. The technician seemed to spend a lot of time focusing on the heart without giving us any feedback. I got a little nervous that something might be wrong, but the doctor finally came and I am glad to report that everything is A-OK. The doctor told us that they try to take as many pictures of the heart as possible, which is why they kept going back for more pictures. The baby is not even born and he/she already has me worrying, so I should be growing grey sometime in December.
Since Jess and I do not want to know the gender of our baby until she/he is delivered, the doctor and technician were careful not to show any incriminating shots or make suggestive comments. When the doctor returned and verified that we didn't want to know the gender of the baby, I was quick to respond, "No, but do you know?" The fact that he knew and we didn't was killing me.
Jess's next appointment is July 13th and everything is still on schedule for an early November arrival.
June 9, 2007 - Pop-E's Note
Jess, Greg, Whitney and Chris were down this weekend and we saw the Ultra Sound pictures. It seems that every time I refer to the BABY I say SHE - and I don't know why. However after seeing the Ultra Sounds pictures I am now hoping and saying "BOY". The pictures show that the baby has Greg's nose (you know the one with the BUMP) and it would be bad enough for my 3rd GRANDSON to have that nose - but my 1st (or any) GRANDDAUGHTER!!!!! - Well I am going to start praying more and refill my VALIUM and hope it was a SHADOW.
July 13, 2007
Today was another appointment, but it was a quick one at 20 minutes. The doctor went over the genetic testing that was done at the last visit and said that based on the results and the last set of ultrasound pictures everything is A-OK.
We heard the baby's heart beat again and it was a loud and strong one at 150 bpm.
Jess's blood pressure was also good at 120/68. Good thing they did not have to take mine.
While we are sure that the doctor knows whether it is a boy or girl, we are trying our best to hold out until we see the baby in the flesh. Although it is difficult, we think we'll be able to do it. When Jess and I went to see Christoper and Daniel the doctor told us that they were in a special nursery where visitors were not allowed. The doctor said she had taken a picture of the boys, but we opted not to look. As Jess said "I don't want to see a picture, I want to see the REAL THING!" Let's hope the waiting for the real thing won't drive us insane.
Jess's next appointment is August 10th and everything is still on schedule for the November 5th arrival. Jess was told that next time she would get to drink a "special cocktail," but unfortunately not the type she would prefer. The cocktail is actually a test for gestational diabeties and is apparently not as satisfying as a Guinness.
August 20th, 2007
Jess had her appointment on the 10th, to drink the "special cocktail," to test for gestational diabeties. The doctor indicated that the results would be ready in 3 days and that if everything was OK he probably would not call. Sice we have not heard from him we are assuming that everything is fine. However, Jess is going to use her "source" in the hospital to check the files and make sure the results show only good news
Jess's next appointment is schedule for August 24th.
September 21, 2007
Hi everyone.
It has been a while since the last update.
Jess developed high blood pressure last month and her OBGYN became somewhat concerned. She had to stop going to the office and rest at home. After a few weekly visits the BP seems to have stabilized at a somewhat reasonable level (Jess’s BP during the early stages of her pregnancy was on the low side) and now is around 129/85.
The doctor still wants her to stay at home but has allowed her to work from home.
In addition to the blood pressure issue, there was also concern about elevated protein levels. This issue have also stabilized.
On Saturday, Jess's sister and friends had a baby shower for her. However, it was not an easy journey from Friday's doctor's visit to Saturday's shower.
On Friday afternoon, Jess went to Massachusetts General Hospital (this is where her OBGYN has her office) for an ULTRA SOUND and to have her Blood Pressure and Protein Levels checked. I am happy to say that the ULTRA SOUND showed that the BABY GIRL or BABY BOY is A-OK. However Jess's Blood Pressure and Protein Level were elevated according to the nurse/technician.
The doctor decided to keep her over night to try to get to the reasons for the results. I called my parents (who were coming up Friday night for the shower) about 4:30pm to let them know that Jess was in the hospital and that the shower was probably going to be moved to Sunday or the following week depending on how serious were the problems.
In talking to Jess, the doctor asked what she had to drink and eat on Friday and Jess mentioned that she had lemonade for lunch. Something "clicked" in the doctor's head and she thought that the elevated protein levels may actually be elevated sugar levels. Since the BP level was in acceptable range after taking it again, we were on our way home by 6:30. I called my parents to tell them the shower was still on and to plan on coming up on Saturday.
The Baby is 34 weeks old and weights about 5 pounds 5 ounces
Jess had additional appointments on 9/28 and 10/5 and everything looks good. Her next appointment is scheduled for October 11th.
Massachusetts General Hospital
October 31st, 2007
Hi Everyone.
We are now in the final countdown.
Jess saw the doctor on Monday and her BP was a little higher. The Doctor has scheduled an Ultra Sound for Thursday and then plans on admitting Jess into the hospital on Sunday morning at 8:30am. However she could deliver before Sunday, but that appears to unlikely.
Depending on how the labor goes on Sunday, it looks like the doctor could be one day off ( her original prediction was November 5th). However, I think there are cases where labor last 16 hours. I hope not for Jess's sake as well as my own.
Any way, Jess and I (along with the expectant 1st time Grandparents - Janet and Doug) had our final fling this weekend at Lauren's wedding.
The Baby is over 7 pounds and we are
very excited that the happy event is also here and the big surprise
