Halloween 2010

Despite some anxiety issues for McKenna, the girls had a great Halloween. McKenna dressed as a "Southern Belle" (Scarlett O'Hara to be exact), and Olivia dressed as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.

We went to a couple of churches' "trunk of treats." I was not able to get out and do any walking there, but Jason enjoyed taking the girls on their quest for candy. Of course, we also visited grandparents and a couple other relatives. McKenna wasn't feeling well and didn't get out at every place, so I stayed in the van with her. They are already making plans for next Halloween. :-)

Back in Business!

After a lot of thought and prayer, I have decided to reopen my Etsy shop. It is going to be very difficult right now, but I have to have faith that it will work out. When my shop was active a couple of years ago, I was working 40-50 hrs per week. I'd stay up till 3 AM (sometimes later) many days and then get up with the kids at 6:30 AM. I LOVED what I was doing, but it just got to be too much when I was pregnant with Gabby and we found out about her heart issues and Down syndrome. So I closed my shop, and I really missed it.

Now, even though I am supposed to be on modified bed rest, I am determined to find a way to sell a few tutus every week. I've checked into all sorts of other work-at-home jobs, but nothing turns out to be legit or as profitable as my Etsy shop. I most certainly won't make a fortune, but it might help to pay a bill here and there. I am going to need Jason's help with cutting the tulle. I may also have to sew in 5 minute increments because I cannot sit too long without aggravating my back and pelvic problems. And when that happens, even the cane doesn't help much. But I have to do SOMETHING to help out, so I guess this is it. I've already had a few sales since reopening!

Please keep us in your prayers, as I am so limited in what I can do right now and am not supposed to drive either. I go pick up the girls from school as much as possible, but thankfully that is a short trip. Jason is trying so hard to keep up with the house and most of the cooking, but he can only do so much. I feel soooooo guilty and just want to be back to our normal routines so that I can take care of my family!!! Most of Jason's time is spent working (some at home too), so he doesn't have much time to devote to the house. With 2 kids and 5 cats...well...you can imagine. But I keep reminding myself that all of this is worth it. Lincoln will be here in just about 14 weeks (maybe less!), and then my back pain will at least get back to the tolerable and functional point. Is it January yet????

Lincoln's Echo

On Wednesday we went for our 2nd attempt at a fetal echo of Lincoln's heart. This time, our little guy decided to let us get a good look at everything. His heart is PERFECT!!!! It took a long time for that to sink in and for me to believe it. Lincoln was fairly active during the scan, and we got to see him sucking his thumb, yawning, and sticking out his tongue. He is currently in a complete breech position, but there is still time for him to turn before delivery. I am 25 weeks along today! Lincoln's weight is excellent. He weighs almost 2 lbs. and is in the 60th percentile.

Because of my back problems and the contractions that seem to go along with the pain, I have been instructed to take it easy and limit my activities (especially driving). I was already doing this to some degree, but I have to be more careful. Because of my history of low amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios) with Gabby (causing her to be delivered at 36 weeks and maybe contributing to her lung issues), I will be having regular ultrasounds throughout the rest of the pregnancy to check fluid levels.

We are thrilled and so thankful for Lincoln's heart being free from defects. What an answer to so many prayers!

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month!

An online acquaintance of mine has been working on a very important project - a free ebook for expectant mothers with a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis. As I know all too well, getting that diagnosis is very difficult. And there is a lack of resources available to women in such a position. Many of the resources that DO exist are outdated and geared toward those considering or planning termination of their pregnancy. This new ebook is very current and NOT for those who have chosen to terminate. My friend has worked with several medical professionals to come up with this ebook that will help women with a prenatal diagnosis make sense of everything and find the community resources they need.

Just in time for Down Syndrome Awareness month, the website where the ebook can be downloaded has been launched! I am so excited about this, as it is a resource I can pass along to the pregnant women I correspond with daily. Hopefully it will help many of them realize they are not alone in the community and that resources are available to help them through a difficult time. My friend, Nancy, was kind enough to ask for my opinion and feedback on some things and she included me in the "acknowledgments" on page 3. Later, more materials will be added to their resource library, and there will be a section on Down syndrome loss. Gabby and I will be included in that info. I also hope to pass this resource along to some medical professionals in KY that work with pregnant women.

Here is a link to the website where the book can easily be downloaded.

http://downsyndromepregnancy.org/