Trusting in God

My regular OB/GYN referred me to a specialist in Shreveport as a precaution since I have Lupus.  I went to the appointment yesterday, just expecting a regular boring report.  Everything has been going great lately with my pregnancy, and I was finally able to stop worrying about things that could go wrong. 

Unfortunately, that's not how the day played out.  The tech did a level 2 ultrasound to check for any abnormalities.  The heart and brain appear perfectly healthy, so I was relieved after finding that.  She kept focusing the wand on the baby's abdomen.  She asked me if I had any bleeding during the pregnancy.  I told her no, and thought it was a strange question to ask.  She left the room and told me to stay on my back and that the doctor would be coming by to look at a few things.  I started to get worried.  After looking around some more, he told me that the baby has a condition called Fetal Echogenic Bowel Syndrome.  Basically, on the ultrasound, the baby's intestines are glowing just as bright as the bone.  He said it's because there is blood in the baby's intestines.  He told me it could occur from one of the following things:

-  Cystic Fibrosis
- Down's Syndrom or some other genetic defect
- An infection such as toxoplasmosis or CMV
-The baby could have swallowed some blood in the amniotic fluid.  This one seems kind of likely since I had a small tear in my placenta earlier on that resulted in some internal bleeding.
-  Absolutely nothing at all.  Sometimes it occurs spontaneously and doesn't result in any problems.

They took some blood to test for genetic abnormalities.  I had no genetic testing done previously since we had no family history on either side of any genetic problems.  I should know the results in 1-2 weeks for that.  If the odds aren't good, then I'll have to have further testing done.  The good news is that there were no other markers on the ultrasound.  Often there will be other signs such as fluid on the heart, cysts, etc., that point to some more serious problems.  We are hoping it is all just due to the placental tear I had earlier on.  Another thing to watch out for is that sometimes babies that get this don't grow properly.  The doctor said I'll have to have frequent growth checks to make sure everything is going ok. 

I know there are so much worse things that can happen.  Odds are still in our favor that we will end up with a healthy little girl.  But good luck telling a pregnant woman not to worry.  All I can focus on is the negative.  We will love this little girl no matter what happens, and I'm trying to remind myself that God has a purpose and a plan for her life. 

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.  Before you were born I set you apart."  Jeremiah 1:5

It's a GIRL!!!!

I had an elective ultrasound done this past Saturday. I thought it would be cool to see the baby with the 3d ultrasound, and I couldn't wait to find out the gender. The baby was positioned a little strange so we didn't get the best pictures, but the tech was able to tell that the baby is a GIRL! It honestly caught me so off guard. Everyone, including myself, was convinced it was a boy. I kept asking the tech, "are you sure? Are you really absolutely positive?" And she said I could go ahead and paint the nursery. I have another ultrasound next week at a high risk doctor (just as a precaution for lupus) so I will wait to make sure it's still a girl before I go overboard with the pink.

I'm feeling better this week after getting sicker than I've ever been in my life. My doc prescribed me an antibiotic, and I had a horrible reaction to it. I'm getting my appetite back and feeling much better now. The fatigue has really kicked in now, and I'm counting down the days till the end of school. 5 more weeks!

Pictures: gender reveal cupcakes, first shopping trip after finding out it's a girl, picture of baby, and 17 week belly picture. (I feel huge!!)

14 weeks

I wish I could say I've been feeling better in the second trimester, but morning sickness has come back full force. I thought it was supposed to go away by now?! Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. My belly is definitely growing, and it's getting to where I either have to wear maternity pants or my regular pants with a belly band. I bought an at home doppler and check the baby's heart beat a couple of times a week, and it has been in the 160-170 range. Old wive's tales say a high heart rate means it's a girl! Hopefully we will find out for sure in two weeks. I have a early view gender determination ultrasound scheduled for then, and they say they can almost always accurately tell the gender at that point. I'm so ready to find out! We did buy a crib because we found a good deal on one, and Lane's parents bought us an awesome upholstered glider, but those are the only things we've bought. Once we know the gender, I'm sure I'll go overboard buying stuff for the nursery.

Baby Stroud!

Baby Stroud is due October 9th! Lane and I are so excited that it's pretty much all we talk or think about. Both of us are so ready to be parents!

We found out the good news in January a few days after my birthday. The line on the test was so faint that we didn't think it was right, but Lane went to the store to get another brand. 3 tests later, we knew for sure we had a baby on the way!

I am almost out of the first trimester and will be so relieved when I am. I have been constantly worried that something will go wrong. I've had several ultrasounds and appointments and have received good reports. I even have a little belly starting to show!

We are so happy to be on this journey ad can't wait to see where it take us.

Disney World 2012

Lane switched jobs this year and doesn't get any vacation days for awhile, so this summer my mom and I decided to take a girl's trip. We talked about several different destinations, but the decision was pretty easy....Disney World!!!

I got a lot of strange looks when I told friends and co-workers that I was going to Disney World...with no kids!! The truth is, that is the BEST way to do it! This was somewhat of a luxury trip for us, as we stayed in one of the higher-end hotels and ate all our meals in the park. We stayed at the Fort Wilderness Lodge, which is so rustic and beautiful.

We spent 5 days in the parks. For seasoned pros (and super fast speed walkers!) like my mom and I, it was plenty of time. We got to do everything 2 or 3 times and never felt rushed. We even spent a day at Universal Studios and got to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It was so amazing. Out of everything though, our favorite park would have to be the magic kingdom. The other parks just can't compare to the MK's rides and atmosphere.

It really was an amazing trip and I'm so glad I got the possibly once in a lifetime chance to go with just my mom!

Fighting off aliens on Space Ranger Spin.  I was REALLY into it, I guess!

The lobby of our hotel, Wilderness Lodge

At the gates to the Magic Kingdom

My FAVORITE ride, Space Mountain

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!  (The Butterbeer was SOOO good.)

My mom insisted on wearing a poncho on the Jurassic Park water ride.

Another favorite, The Rockin' Roller Coaster

The castle on our first night in the park

We can't wait to go back again!

Let's try this again!

I really do like the idea of blogging so that I can remember all the little things that are going on in our lives. Now that I can do it from my iPhone, maybe I can actually keep up with this thing.

What's been going on with The Strouds lately:

                                                            Plenty of naps with the dogs.

Spending time with our new niece, Sloane.

Swimming with Brooke, Heather, and Jason

Visiting the in-laws

Playing with Taylor at the park in Little Rock

Date nights!

Hat Shopping....Yeah, he actually bought that.

First snow cone of the season!

Today is my last day at school, and I have a fun and relaxing summer planned.  Can't wait to get it started!

A Summer List

Emily Martinka and I started making summer lists about 8 years ago so we would always have ideas of things to do when we got bored. I love the idea of it, and have pretty much had some sort of summer to do list every year. Here is the 2011 version:

• Midnight glow chalk with Emilee
• Go to a Ranger's game
• Go swimming as much as possible
• Go biking around Sanibel Island
• Sew my dress (see previous post.)
• Make as many crafts as possible, including:
• Jewelry holders from old picture frames and screens
• Simple Summer Skirts
• Turn an old window shutter into an inspiration board.
• Finish my advent calendar
• Make more beach towel totes.
• Make more flower bows.
• Decorations for my music room.
• I'm sure I'll think of 500 more craft projects to do....
• Spend time playing with my nieces and nephew.
• Finally get to see Beth again.
• Lemonade Party!!! (Expect some awesome pictures.)
• 2 year anniversary trip with my amazing husband.
• Go to the library every week.
• Go fishing
• Make homemade ice cream.
• Cook several recipes from the Pioneer Woman Cookbook.
• Spend time with friends and family in Arkansas.
• Write letters to friends that live far away.
• Savor every second of summer.

It seemed like summer would last an eternity until I started looking at everything to do on this list. Better get started!