We drove down to Vancouver Monday night and arrived at our friends house just about 8pm . It was such a long day.  I had my 20 week blood work done at the lab in the morning. I had no appointment so i just had to go in and wait. They told me that it would be an hour but luckily I was in and out in 25 mins.  I wanted to get it done before we left so the clinic would have my results at my appt Tuesday morning.  I had done my monday morning blood dot but decided to just take it with me and drop it off in person to newborn screening lab while I was there. It would be much faster then couriering it over night. Then We had some running around to do and Madelyn had her first spring session dance class.  We came home had lunch, packed up, took copper to coles brother house, then got gas, new windshield wipers and a few things before we headed out. I hated the trip there and back as i could  not eat anything till we got to my friends house. I was so freaking hungry. We did not sleep well while in Vancouver. I guess im not longer a city girl . It was so bright and loud! I was woken up at 2 am and our room was so bright that i thought it was 7 am. I even heard birds. Then I looked at my watch. I laid awake till 4 am when I finally feel back asleep but only till 6 am when Madelyn woke up.

 

20 week lab work – sitting at life labs waiting to have my full work up done .

 

Our first appt was Tuesday morning at 930 with my PKU clinic.  I saw my nurse and my dietitian .  My average level since i was 5 weeks pregnant is 2.0 All my test results and ferrtin came back good!  I also got to see a good friend of mine briefly while there.

Then we headed off to to the Maternal fetal medicine clinic at BC women’s for out detailed ultrasound / cardiogram and fetal echo. It was 45 mins long. I am happy to write that  Baby 2 be number 2 is very healthy. No concerns from any of our medical team. Everything is as it should be and we couldn’t be happier. Baby was so active during the scan kicking and moving around. Covering it’s eyes and face with its hands. I wish we had of got more photos as we saw everything so clearly. Beautiful big full lips. All the limbs and hands and feet. On one screen there was a perfect image of both of babies feet side by side together. Madelyn got to see the baby move around and chatted the whole time how she’s going to a big helper when the baby is born but she knows it still has to grow for a while. Seeing baby so fully was comforting and reassuring for me . Baby is lying side ways it’s head is at my belly button and it’s feet are down by my bladder which I could totally feel lol. We saw all 4 chambers if the heart. The full spine and even the kidneys. I love the care an attention the team had and details we went over. Happy I don’t need to go back to Vancouver and the rest of our growth scans be done here ! Baby was moving so much and we could see the little hands and feet kick and punch and suck its hand.  I loved watching baby on the big screen TV and move around. I felt very comforted when the tech told me everything was as it should be and was measuring exactly 20 weeks and 3 days like I was. That baby was healthy. I had been holding my breathe and waiting to hear those words. They knew that we wanted to know baby’s gender if possible . The doctor came in next to take a few more images of the heart and talk to us about the findings. He asked Madelyn what baby was and she said a sister named summer and he said what if it was a boy. Mads said then fozzy ( waka waka) . It clicked on me all of a sudden where she got her names from LOL from “Muppet babies!!!” Summer is the penguin and Fozzy bear LOL i nearly peed laughing so hard. 

We are very excited and pleased to announce

I could not be happier and neither can Madelyn. It is so nice to know this time around.  The doctor told Madelyn ” Your sister is looking very healthy ” and then showed us on the screen that baby was indeed a girl!

I had hoped so and I had guessed so because when they tech was in the room she took some “gender” images for the doctor to tell us and I could sort of tell as i seen with Madelyn but wasn’t totally sure and my bff had explained to me what to look for.  I know either way i would have been happy , as one of each would have been nice to but im delighted Madelyn gets a sister and i get to be a mom to 2 beautiful little girls.  All that truly matters to me is that she is healthy and she will be here soon! I know in my heart our family is complete and I am content.

So keep growing baby girl and mama will always give you my very best. We cant wait to meet you!

After the ultrasound I took my blood dot up to newborn screening, we headed out for lunch then back to MFM for the consult at 1 pm.  The specialist we had seen was very impressed with my journey , with Madelyn and with our new little girl.  They had no concerns and said i could have some follow up growth scans at 28 weeks and 34 weeks but in kamloops so thats a relief.

As it stands we are hoping for a home water birth.  As long as all goes well .

I can finally breathe now. I know my hard work is paying off. I know its worth it. I know she is healthy and I can feel her daily. I talk to her now and im hoping that the stress in my life and the fear surrounding this pregnancy will begin to ease off and I can enjoy the last half until we meet this little girl.

After all our appointments Madelyn and I went to the children’s hospital gift shop and she picked out her baby sister a new sleeper and a little stuffed donkey ( seen in photo above)  all on her own. she even told the lady at the till all about her baby!  Madelyn is still insisting we call her summer. I dont mind it but im not totally sold on it. I think we will wait to see baby and meet her and she what she looks like.  Right now my top names are : Abigail, Olivia, Summer and Amaya. But it changes all the time. Good thing we have lots of time!

I got my level back today from the blood dot I dropped it off and it was 1.7 mg/dl so the clinic has bumped me up now to 360 mg phe and im so happy for the increase!

Check back Saturday for my 21 week update!