Abigail Update

Here's the latest as of last Monday:

Well the doctor's appointment went really well today! The doctor looked at her brain with the ultrasound and he determined that the "holding tanks" for the fluid passing through the brain which were larger than normal didn't increase in size. They are the same as three weeks ago. Which he said was great news. He still wants to do the MRI because he says it wouldn't hurt anything. The Dr forgot to schedule it so I didn't do one today, but the radiology dept should call soon to set up an MRI some time in the next few weeks. It was so nice to hear that.

I asked about the gestational diabetes results and he at first thought he remembered that my numbers were high on that too, and he said he was waiting to pass along the bad news until later in the appt. He checked again and thank God he was wrong. we all giggled because it just couldn't have been me. not another thing wrong.

We talked a little about pediatricians. I asked what would happen regarding my situation since I would be departing from the hospital soon after the baby was born. He said the baby would definitely be monitored after birth...meaning she would most likely have an ultrasound or MRI done on her head after birth sometime. He also said if there was no cause for immediate concern than we could probably just go back to Augusta ensuring there would be good Dr's there to keep tabs on her.

I also mentioned to him that I was hoping to do a natural birth without meds. He said that the meds might be helpful during labor regarding my Chrone's and minimizing the stress on my body. He said that they would be monitoring the baby so my ability to move around would be some what limited to just the room. Which sounded fine to me. I don't need to be showing off that sexy hospital gown to the entire natal wing.

I reminded him that we are looking to get this baby out before June 19th and he laughed. I mentioned that the situation with Jay was the same (having to make a call that said "ok start driving") I also asked if he would for sure be the one delivering me, and he said that is a good possibility that it won't. He remembered that he had mentioned to me that I would need one of the more experienced doctors to handle the delivery since I have concerns regarding my chrone's. Apparently there are very few inexperienced ob's at Wilford Hall since they deliver about 200 babies a month! wow!

Overall, I left the doctors with a great sense of relief. Although, I hadn't allowed myself to get worked up over the news from the last appointment, it was great to hear that she is doing well. She is weighing in at 3lbs 4oz. now. She is just below avg on her size for this age. But she has stayed consistently just below avg on size over the last 8-12 weeks. She is really starting to look like a human being and less like a bony alien. It was great seeing her round face on the screen. She loves putting her hands in front of her face, so we only really see a little at a time. Either shy or doesn't like pictures. Knowing Jay and I she can't be shy...

Her femur bone is about 5 centimeters long which is about 2-3 inches I think. Her belly is about 7 inches long and her head about 9.5 centimeters...from that the Dr. told me she is about 14 inches long right now. Isn't that neat! Anyway...I think that is all that happened. I go back in exactly one month, so May 14th. I meet with one of Dr. Fausett's partners. That will be helpful to meet him because he could possibly be delivering me too. I can't wait to see what she'll look like then, and how big she'll be then too. oh my!

I hope all of you are well. Talk to you all soon. Lauren Lea

P.S. Sorry no pictures this time, feet and hands were all up in the way.

And The Fun Continues...

So when we last left off, I was recapping my magnificent month of March which ended with a weekend in the DFW area. The weekend was planned, as usual, to include several visits with family and friends over delectable meals. Eat, drink, and be merry seems to be the reoccurring theme of our visits to the metroplex. I love that!

As you read in a previous entry, I enjoyed a indulgent dinner with friends at a Cuban restaurant and an ice cream sandwich shop. Well the next day was a great celebration of family and friends going googoo-gaga over onsies, washcloths, fluffy toys, and tiny shoes while nibbling on lovely finger foods and bite size desserts. My sister-in-law, Vicki, aunt-in-law, Toni, and cousin-in-law, Melissa, threw me a very sweet baby shower at Jay's mom's church. I was definitely the larger-than-life of the party surprising many guests with my large belly. Jay and I received so many nice gifts including some top notch sarcastic baby-ware, a clamp-to-the-table high chair, and Abigail's first piece of jewelry. My very sneaky husband surprised me with a gift at the shower which was snuck in to the party by my even sneakier mother-in-law, Betty. Jay's adorable surprise was an ID bracelet which Betty had engraved with "Abigail" on one side and "Daddy" on the other. You can't surprise a pregnant woman with something like that and not be prepared for the waterworks... Thank you all so much again for celebrating "Peanut's" upcoming arrival.

I then had a lovely brunch with Jay's dad, Mike, at which we caught up on his newly retired life, scouts, and Jay, who amazingly must have realized we were talking about him because he phoned during brunch. He had great timing and was able to visit with his dad over the phone. It was so nice to see Mike and hear all about his retirement adventures. It's great to hear that his time is filled with so many rewarding activities. The brunch was the perfect combination of breakfast, lunch, and family to start the day off right.

Sunday turned out to be a gorgeous day to be outside, and why not while your outside, do some walking to raise some money for a very important cause. Jay's mother, Betty, was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) several years ago and has been walking in the MS walk ever since. This year she invited her family to walk with her, and we were honored to support her and MS research. However, we did a little more than just show up on Sunday with our tennis shoes on...we surprised Betty (a.k.a. BeBe) with t-shirts for everyone advertising "Team BeBe" which she of course welcomed with tears of joy. :) We also managed to raise $800 as a team...oh and this ragtag group of supporters I am referring to included Betty, her husband Howard, her sister Toni and her 7 year old daughter Betsy, her niece Melissa and her 5 month old daughter Sofia, her daughter Vicki and her 5 year old son Nicholas, and finally her daughter-in-law, yours truly, and her fetus "Peanut". When I said ragtag, I meant it...Look at us sportin' those doo-rags.


The walk, also known as "the race" to the kids, was great fun. We all walked the entire 3 miles together and finished victoriously. Nicholas, who was determined to defeat the entire family, decided it was better to win the race hand in hand with our team leader, BeBe. She, of course, crossed the finished line in tears...but let's be honest, preggo here was fightin' the tears back as well. Damn Hormones! haha. We all walked so hard that day...that the old-timers and preggo were all konked out by 8pm, haha. Party On! It looks like we all will be walking again next year. We were pretty good at the fundraising side and are only going to get better, so keep that in mind when your phone rings next spring.

I won't be gone long this time...I have another ultrasound on Monday, so maybe a few more good shots of Baby Warren. I will also be updating the belly shot again soon. It's amazing that this thing can still get bigger. Catch you later dudes!

Ain't Nothin' Gonna Slow Me Down...Oh No...I've Got to Keep on Movin'

I hope some of you sang that entry title with me...and if you didn't, you need to get with it. :)

Well being preggo doesn't seem to slow me down one bit. I had a few fun filled weekends recently that I haven't been able to share with you all yet. I was blessed to spend a weekend in Houston with Renee, a weekend with my sister/family for Easter, and a weekend in DFW for a baby shower. I got into all sorts of shenanigans from staying up to all hours of the nights to wearing myself out enough to pass out at 8pm. That's how we preggos get down.

Houston was great. The Kristyniks and I reminisced about old times and previous visits. Renee (Nea) and I had a lot of catching up to do. We partied hard on movies until 2am one night. Nea couldn't hang with the preggo though. Amateurs...haha. Ronnie (her dad) fired up the boilers the other night and we feasted on crawfish, shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn. Abigail did alright with the spicy food especially when I washed it down with few cold O'Douls. Haha. Good times are always had with the Kristyniks in Houston. Looking forward to the next time when Jay and Abigail can join in the fun.

When I made it back to Seguin, I had to drive straight to the hospital to aide my mom, the new patient. She slipped and broke her knee cap the last day I was in Houston. She was out of surgery and recovering by Monday afternoon. She was determined to be back on her feet by the time Angie and Nick arrived, and she did it! Strong woman. We all got our fill of Mexican food, the Lenten meal of choice for our family.

There were several activities that weekend. Between the Leyendecker's Good Friday picnic, Angie and Nick's 10 year high school reunion, and the Zorn Olympics several memories were made. Of those, the most memorable being a pregnant woman suspended in the air at the height of an egg toss match. In short...my foot slipped...I became super-preggo-woman flying through the air...and thankfully hands hit first, then leg, then belly. No damage done. Tears of laughter were shared by all.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Zorn Olympics, let me just share with you the best idea for family fun on any holiday. A time honored tradition has commenced on Easter Sunday at the Schwarzlose/Magin property for many years known as the Zorn Olympics. The various games have evolved with the times but several classic competitions have always remained in the line up such as the Potatoe Sack Race, Three Legged Race, Egg Toss, and Scavenger Hunt. The 2008 games were altered due to a certain fat lady, whom will remain nameless, who wasn't able to fit into a potatoe sack and who's ankles were too swollen to do the Three Legged Race, to include the modern Wii Bowling, the vintage washers, horseshoes, and dominoes. Couples compete for reign over all the family, and a year's worth of bragging rights. There may also be a prize involved.

Well that is far as I can go tonight...please check back later for the conclusion of this entry which will include my recent awesome adventure to the Arlington area. You got a sneak peek in the last entry with the Cuban food and Pokey-O's. But don't think that was all the excitement...there was much much more! Including a joyful tearful surprise, sarcastic/humerous babyware, and a cracker jack team of supporters that crossed the finish line for a great cause! Be back again soon.